McDONALD, Marilyn "Jo" (Workman) - b. December 26, 1929 - d. February 5, 2021

[patyrn]

Marilyn "Jo" McDonald, age 91, of Howard, Kansas, passed away February 5, 2021 at her home in Howard, Kansas.  She was born December 26, 1929 to Carl Albert and Thelma Violet (Fiscus) Workman at home, a mile and a half east of Howard.  She grew up as a happy farm girl with her brother, Jack, and her sister, Helen. 

Jo attended rural school until the eighth grade when she to school at Longton, Kansas and graduated from Longton High School on May 15, 1947.  On the morning of May 16, 1947, she married Fred McDonald in a civil ceremony at Howard, Kansas with Judge Miriam O. Beaty officiating.  They were married for 63 years.  In 1953, they were blessed with the birth of their daughter, Teresa, and in 1957, another blessing occurred with the birth of their daughter, Sherri.  Jo was a stay-at-home mom, keeping books for the LP Gs Company that Fred worked for, and she also babysat in their home.

In 1967, Fred and Jo went into partnership with Fred's brother, Don, and his wife, Rosie.  In 1974, the partnership dissolved.  Fred chose another career, and Jo enrolled in cosmetology school in Independence, Kansas, fulfilling a lifelong dream of being a licensed hairdresser.  She owned and operated her own salon from June 1975 until retiring in February 1994.  Fred and Jo were fulltime RVers from April 1994 until April 2009.  For 15 years, their life as RVers was an extremely happy life for both of them.  They loved backpacking in Wyoming, fishing, dancing, playing cards, and spending time with family and friends, spending their summers in Northern Minnesota and their winters in Arahas Pass, Texas.

Jo loved to play bridge and watch sports on TV.  She also wrote an article for the Prairie Star called "Howard Happenings" for several years.  Her biggest joy was being a mother and grandmother.  The love she shared with her two daughters, her three grandchildren, and 7 great-grandchildren made her the happinest.  She was a  member of the Howard United Methodist Church, a 58-year member of the Order of the Eastern Star in which she held many offices and was Grand Esther, and was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary. 

Jo is survived by her daughters, Teresa Ann (Kjell) Heilevang of Howard, Kansas and Sherri Lynn (Curt) Wilder of Texas; her grandsons, Danny (Ronda) Cookson of Howard, Kansas and Derek Cookson and Lady Sarah of Howard, Kansaaas; her granddaughter, Tania (Brett) Mariman of Colby, Kansas; extended granddaughters, Teri Cookson of Marion, Kansas and Rochelle Cookson of Howanrd, Kasns; great-grandchildren, Caleb, Ashley, Mason, Harper, Cooper, Ella, and Cole; her sister, Helen Troutman of Salina, Kansas; and a host of nieces and nephews.  She is preceded in death by her husband, Fred; her parents, Carl and Thelma Workman, and her brother, Jack Workman.

A memorial Celebration of Life service will be held on Sunday, February 14, 2021 at 4:00 p .m. at Countryside Funeral Home in Howard, Kansas. Memorial contributions can be made to the Howard Public Swimming Pool and can be mailed to or left with the funeral home.  Services have been entrusted to Countryside Funeral Home, 206 E. Washington, Howard, Kansas 67349.

(taken from the Countryside Funeral Home website)

[Catwoman]

I am so sorry, Teresa.  I will pray for all of your family for peace in the face of this loss.

[Ole Granny]

Prayers for each of you.