Louise P. McDonald

Louise P. McDonald, 83, of West Des Moines, passed away on Wednesday, July 5, 2023. Louise was born on August 20, 1939 in Chicago, Illinois, to Bob and Jeannette Proctor. She grew up in Crystal Lake, Illinois and graduated from Crystal Lake Community High School in 1957. After high school she attended Drake University where she was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma.

Louise started dating her future husband Chuck while still in high school. After dating for five years, they got married on August 13, 1960 and were happily married for 62 years. Sadly, Chuck passed away just 10 months prior to Louise in September 2022. They had two children – Steve and Cindy.

Louise and Chuck lived in Madison after Chuck’s graduation from Drake while Chuck got his MBA from the University of Wisconsin. They then spent four years in Texas where Chuck was stationed in the US Air Force. Steve was born while they were living in Texas.
Louise and Chuck returned to Des Moines in 1965; in 1966 they had their daughter Cindy. Louise was a wonderful mother and stayed home while the kids were in school. She was active in the community and volunteered with the PTA, the library, and at the West Des Moines United Methodist Church.

In 1983, Louise went back to work in an administrative role at Bankers Trust. She was quickly recognized for her competence and moved into the role of a Commercial Banker. She was also asked to lead the bank’s Secure Lifestyles Club. Louise was exceptional at her job and loved planning the multitude of events for the club. She’d escort large groups of seniors all over the country and world on many exciting trips. The group just adored her. She loved her job and often commented she especially enjoyed dressing up every day.

After 20 successful years at the bank, Louise retired but went on to be even more active than before. She and Chuck were both involved in volunteering in multiple organizations, traveling, and spending time with their family. Louise loved to play bridge and was in as many as four separate bridge clubs at one time. She was an avid reader and in multiple book clubs. Additionally, she was also an active member of P.E.O. International, a philanthropic organization for women. Louise adored her family and spent countless hours through the years traveling to Cincinnati and Chicago attending the events of her grandchildren.

Louise is predeceased by her husband Chuck and is survived by her children, Steve and daughter-in-law Sally McDonald of Mason, OH, and Cindy and son-in-law Jeff Geier of Chicago. She is also survived by her brother, Ken Proctor and his wife Melinda of Tulsa, OK; as well as five grandchildren, Elizabeth, Michael, and Charlie McDonald and Alex and David Geier.

Louise could never have imagined what she meant to others and the incredible impact she made with her friends, family and the community around her. She will be known for her humility, selflessness, generous heart, gracious hospitality, legendary organizational skills and beauty (both inside and out). She will be sorely missed by her family and the 100s of friends she made throughout the years.

A visitation will be held Monday, July 10 from 4-6 p.m. at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines and services will be held on Tuesday, July 11 at 11 a.m. at West Des Moines United Methodist Church, 720 Grand Avenue also in West Des Moines with a luncheon to follow. If guests are not able to attend the service in person, the family invites friends to join them virtually by clicking the livestream link at the end of the obituary below.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests making a donation to Iowa Rescue League of Des Moines or West Des Moines United Methodist Church.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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