Viola Mcdonald

Viola Maxine McDonald, 99 of Winterset, died peacefully on Monday September 4, 2024 at Azria Health of Winterset.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Monday, September 9, 2024 at Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home, Winterset Chapel. A funeral service will begin at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, September 10, 2024 at the Winterset Community Church. Burial will take place at the McDonald-Chase Cemetery with a luncheon following. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to EveryStep Hospice or McDonald-Chase Cemetery.

Viola was born March 28, 1925 in Leon, Iowa, in rural Decatur County, the daughter of Raymond Lamphiear and Myrtle Hilliary Lamphiear.  She was baptized at 11 years old in the Leon Christian Church. She had a strong, deep faith in Jesus and loved reading her Bible. She always had a verse of scripture on the bulletin board and lived out her faith in everyday life. She was a very generous and humble person, and her smile lit up a room. She was a great cook, could crochet beautifully, loved garage sales and reading.

At the age of 19, she was working at The Club Café in Winterset and met Wayne McDonald. They were married on September 9, 1944 in Council Bluffs, Iowa.  Soon after marriage, Viola began her lifelong journey at her most important role, mother.  They were blessed with 9 children, living on the farm until the farm crisis in the 80’s. She was never out of her narrow circle of family, but thoroughly enjoyed her simple life, and was proud of her children and grandchildren’s accomplishments.

Viola never had a license and late in life got a job on the square at the Oakwood Inn.  After that, she worked at The Bakery.  She enjoyed walking to both jobs.

She is survived by her 9 children, Jerry (Pat) of St. Charles, Ronnie (Alicia) of Winterset, Bill (Dorothy) of Winterset, Steve (Jody) of Des Moines, Dave (Susan) of Winterset, Jeff (Kim) of Winterset, Jane Dawson (Ray) of Winterset, Amy Sexton (Sean) of Naperville, IL, and John (Kristine) of Winterset; a sister-in-law Barb McDonald of Creston; 28 grandchildren; and a host of great and great-great grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, three brothers, Ambrose, Sam and Harold; and two sisters, Daisy and Eva.