Nancy Jean (Cooper) McDonald was called to heaven December 23rd, 2020. She passed peacefully in her home. Nancy was born in Waterloo, Iowa, and grew up on several farms in eastern Warren County. She was the oldest of six siblings. She had a love for cooking that continued throughout her life. Her other passion was music. She played the French Horn in high school and sang Alto in the choir. She married after graduating from Carlisle High School, she worked in Des Moines, settled in Norwalk, and had twin boys. Five years later she remarried and had a daughter. During her time in Norwalk, she worked for the school system as the secretary for the MAC elementary school; during the summer she taught swimming lessons at the city pool. Nancy will always be remembered for the time she spent helping young children as that was one of her loves. She was a member of the Norwalk Jay Cees for five years, Norwalk UMC for 25 years. She served on many committees in church, sang in the choir, directed bells, Vacation Bible School, and helped her husband with youth mission trips to the Appalachian region and anything mission related. 20 years ago, they moved to the St. Mary’s area and joined St. Charles Parish church 5 years ago. She became an active member of the church serving on several board positions.
Nancy was an avid volleyball and softball player in years past. She was a regional referee and scorekeeper for volleyball. She refereed high school girls in the DM area and the Drake college team over the years. She was also the scorekeeper for the Simpson college team.
She loved to tend the many flower beds she had on the farm. She loved to travel and was an avid SCUBA diver for 35 years.
She was preceded in death by her father Melvin Cooper.
She is survived by her mother Marge Cooper, her five siblings, husband Craig McDonald, her three children, Michael (Stephenie) Tiedens, Matthew (Carroll) Tiedens, Stephanie (Eddie) Rhodes; nine grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, and grand-nephews.
There will be a celebration of life for Nancy on January 16th at 10am at St. Charles Parish 305 W Main St. in St. Charles Iowa. To view the livestream, visit “saintcharlesparish.org” and click on the Facebook link.
The family is asking for no flower arrangements. Instead, please consider making a monetary donation to St Charles Parish P.O. Box 208, St Charles, Iowa 50240, in her name for a mission trip fund for youth.
She will be laid to rest in the North McDonald cemetery in Winterset, Iowa in a private service.