Rosalee McDonald

On Thursday, March 17th Rosalee Alice McDonald passed away. Rosalee was ninety-one years old and a life-long resident of Milford, Iowa. Her last years were happily spent at Hawkeye Assisted Living in Milford. Though her health was generally in decline for the last several months of her life, it was eventually discovered that she had cancer. Refusing any treatment she quickly lapsed into the final stages of her life, and was soon transported from the Spirit Lake Hospital to the Kavanagh House of Hospice Care Services (HCI) in Des Moines to be near family. Rosalee was born on June 6, 1924 in Milford to Edward and Alice Marley. Her siblings who preceded her in death include Gertrude, Lois, Leland (Lee), Earl (Red), and Marion (Pat). Rosalee was a graduate of Milford High School and later married Grant McDonald, also of Milford. Grant also preceded her in death in 2000. Rosalee was raised on a farm with her brothers and sisters, and after briefly working in a Milford grocery, she once again returned to the farm when she married Grant. There they raised two children, Rick and Deb, and farmed 310 acres west of Milford. Others always knew Rosalee for her ready smile, genuine sense of humor, and kindness. Once Grant and Rosalee retired from the farm and took employment in town, Rosalee worked for Murray Drug in Milford. When Rick and Deb were in high school, very often students of Milford High School would be seen at the soda fountain in the drug store having their favorite ice cream dessert and "shooting the breeze" with her. Rosalee was an avid card player throughout her life, and in her years at Stonebridge Assisted Living (now Hawkeye Care), one could easily find her around one of the dining tables playing cards and laughing with her mates. When her children or grandchildren came to visit Rosalee, there was always a Skip-o game going on in her apartment. If you were passing by her place, you could determine this fact by the loud laughter. Rosalee is survived by her two children, Rick and Deb, as well as her grandchildren, Thomas, Danielle, and Ross, and her great-grandson, Anthony. Rick and his wife, Patricia, are recently retired from international teaching, and are currently residing in Bend, Oregon. Their son, Tom, is currently finishing school and working in Des Moines. Deb is currently living and working in Des Moines, and her daughter, Danielle, is working in San Diego following her completion of post-graduate school. Deb's son, Ross, is working in New York. Additionally, Rosalee is survived by many nephews, nieces, cousins, and good friends too numerous to mention here. You know who you are. There will be a memorial service on Friday, April 1st, 2016 at 11:00 am at Turner Jenness Funeral Home in Milford. All who knew Rosalee are welcome to attend. Following the memorial, the family will accompany Rosalee's last journey to Calvary Cemetery west of town and Father Flanagan will deliver the blessing. Anyone who also wishes to make this journey is welcome. Following the burial will be a reception at the Old City Hall, 1021 10th Street, across from Turner Jenness Funeral Home. Rosalee's life can be summed up succinctly by William Shakespeare: "she was the sweetest flower of all the fields."