JoAnn McDonald

JoAnn McDonald died Monday, January 23, 2017 at Taylor House Hospice.

JoAnn preferred to be called Jo. She loved her family, “The Girls,” North High School, and the Chicago Cubs and Iowa Cubs. The order of those could vary. She loved shopping, old movies, Big Band music, playing cards or dominoes, fishing, and going to the casino.

A memorial service will be Saturday, January 28 at 11:00 a.m. at Highland Park Presbyterian Church, 321 Euclid Avenue, Des Moines, with visitation beginning at 9:30 a.m.

Jo was born March 6, 1931, to Joe and Ann Van Nordstrand in Durango, Colorado. She graduated from North High School in Des Moines. She had worked for Bankers Life and also as a part-time secretary at Highland Park Presbyterian Church where she was a member. She was generous with her time and volunteered with PTA at Oak Park Elementary, had served as president of the North High Alumni Association, and was very proud of her work with the former North side community organization and their work on the construction of the North Side library.

Jo is survived by her daughters Shelley (Dana) Mitchell and Lisa Stewart; grandchildren Amber, Justin, Ben, and Katie; great-granddaughters Amora and Lilly; and Tom Geerlings of Signal California who was like a son.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, John McDonald, her parents, and her son, Van Wray.

Jo spent the last 2 years of her life residing at Beaverdale Estates where she was blessed to have many friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the North High School Polar Bear Scholarship fund.

Condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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