Grace E. Mcdonald

Grace E. McDonald, of Preston, IA, passed away Tuesday, February 6, at the University of Iowa Hospital. A celebration of Grace’s life will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Saturday, February 10, at the Millennium Ballroom in Goose Lake, IA.

Grace was born February 5, 1937, daughter of Rudolph and Carrie (Lamp) Frazee. She grew up on the family farm in Plugtown, between Elvira and Charlotte. Grace attended Elvira High School, and graduated with the class of 1954. She went on to Valparaiso University, where she studied teaching and history. After graduating, Grace moved back to the area and married the love of her life, John McDonald. Together John and Grace raised two children and celebrated 49 years of marriage.

Throughout her long teaching career, Grace only taught at two schools; Maquoketa and Northeast. After retiring from Northeast in 1998, Grace couldn’t stay away from her love of teaching, and frequently substituted for many classes. She always held the importance of education to the utmost regard, and passed on the love of learning to her children and grandchildren. Learning reached beyond the classroom for Grace and her kids, and extended to 4-H. Her husband John was 4-H leader for many years, which also meant Grace took on most of the work.

In her free time, Grace loved basketball and baseball. She was a huge Hawkeyes and Cardinals fan. Grace was a 50-year-long season ticket holder for Hawkeyes Basketball. If she wasn’t enjoying a game in Iowa City, she would be watching her beloved Cardinals on T.V. When her son began playing basketball for Clinton Community College, and then Marycrest College, she became the biggest fan of those teams too, and never missed a game.

Grace was a lifelong and active member of Immanuel Lutheran Church. At the center of her life was faith and family. She deeply loved her children and grandchildren, and never missed their competitions and school events. Her grandchildren were the apples of her eye. Her favorite thing to do was to spend time with family. Whether they were going on a road trip to a stock show, or just to Maquoketa for creep feed and Dairy Queen, Grace was happiest when her loved ones were with her.

Grace will be dearly missed by her son, Shawn (Shelly) McDonald of Preston; and two Grandchildren, Conner (Alexis Schroeder) McDonald of Preston, and Makenna (Brian Forret) McDonald of Ames, IA. Grace is preceded in death by her husband, John; her son, Shannon; and her parents, Rudolph and Carrie.