Margaret Ellen (Garlock) McDonald 1926 - 2016

GARLOCK, MCDONALD, BROWN

Posted By: Connie Swearingen- Volunteer (email)
Date: 1/10/2017 at 09:07:33

Sioux City Journal
6 January 2017

SIOUX CITY | Margaret Ellen (Garlock) McDonald, 90, passed away on Dec. 19, 2016, at Ambassador Good Samaritan in New Hope, Minn., after a yearlong struggle to overcome the effects of a stroke. She and Phil lived for many years in Sioux City, before retiring to their lake home in Longville, Minn.

There will be a memorial service for the celebration of Marge's life in the spring at Longville Community Church.

Margaret was born on Dec. 7, 1926, in Earlham, Iowa. She was the fifth of six children of Roy Hitt Garlock and Ethel Jeanette (Brown) Garlock. Since her father was a school teacher and principal, the family lived in various communities before settling in South Sioux City. Margy graduated salutatorian of her high school class.

She worked as a secretary before marrying Philip Bernard McDonald on Nov. 29, 1946. After raising her children in Sioux City, she re-entered the workforce and was actively employed at St. Lukes's Regional Medical Center. Once Margy and Phil moved to Longville, she loved working in the elementary school library, reading to the children and helping them select books.

"Margy" or "Marge" always loved music. Early in her life she often sang in church with her sisters. She enjoyed playing the piano and could play many songs by ear. In Longville, she sang with both the community and church choirs.

Marge took an active part in the Longville community, serving on the church board and helping with food shelf. She loved sports and rarely missed watching a Minnesota Twins game. During the winter, she would sit by the fire solving crossword puzzles. During the summer, Marge enjoyed pontoon or paddle boat rides, cookouts, and volunteering at the Longville Turtle Races. She always liked to watch the birds, play games or cards, and visit with friends and neighbors.

Margaret is survived by one sister, Adell Oberg of Prairie Village, Kan., two sons, Kirk (Marcy) of Champlin, Minn., and Tom of Apple Valley, Minn.; three daughters, Mickey of Haverhill, Mass., Pat Michaelson (Bill) of Eden Prairie, Minn., and Nancy Smith (George Thon) of Rogers, Minn.; eight grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. She also had many nieces and nephews. She was very proud of her family.

Margaret was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband, Phil; a sister, Lucille Soelberg of Vancouver, Wash.; and three brothers, Charles, RoyJr. of Pensacola, Fla., and Rev. Brown of Winfield, Iowa.