Donald Mcdowell

Donald A. McDowell, son of Chester Gail McDowell and Ida Helen Paulsen McDowell, was born March 16, 1928 in Greene County near Jamaica, Iowa and died June 26, 2007 at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa at the age of 79 years, 3 months and 10 days. Don lived on the farm near Jamaica with his family and graduated from Cooper High School in 1947. He then farmed between Cooper and Jamaica. Don also farmed near Dana. He joined the U.S Navy in 1950 and was honorably discharged in 1954. Don was married to Wanda Golden. They raised their family on the farm. Don later married Karen Mertz. Don always was busy. He loved his life on the farm. Don had worked for Montgomery Wards and Dunn's Super Valu. For a time he mowed lawns. Don volunteered as a foster grandparent for the Woodward State Hospital School for many years. After entering the Rowley Memorial Masonic Home, he continued to keep busy folding clothes, tea towels and helping in any way he could. Don truly was an ambassador for the home, making everyone feel welcome. And in turn, the staff at the home took such good care of him. Don enjoyed fishing, camping, boating on his Pontoon (even though he didn't like water!) making lamps of PVC pipe and beads: and all crafts including plastic canvas crafts. He was a great baker. his family shares memories of his delicious pies, (especially blueberry), angel food cakes and wonderful cookies. Don was a member of the Elmo Masonic Lodge of Rippey. He was preceded in death by his parents, infant son Tony; and brother Kenneth McDowell. Don is survived by his children: Jerry McDowell(Kathy) of Cooper; Bob McDowell(Jeannie) of Des Moines; Bill McDowell(Dannell) of Jefferson; Monte McDowell(Mary Ann) of Jamaica; and Monica McDowell(H.D Meinecke) of Jamaica; 8 grandchildren: Bob McDowell Jr.(Amber), Sandy McDowell (Aaron Nisly); Ryan; Collin; and Conner McDowell; Morgan Ricker; Jim Lane and Christy Kellis; his brother Dean McDowell(Betty) of Perry; nieces, nephews, other relative and many friends.