Keith William Mcdonald

Keith William McDonald

Obituary-Written by Keith McDonald

Keith wrote his obituary; here is what he wanted to share. This is a brief story of the life of Keith McDonald of State Center who passed away September 11, 2024, surrounded by his loving family. Keith was born at home on the farm north of Clemons on September 26, 1933, to Wilbur Benton and Ethel Marie (Norman) McDonald. Keith was the fifth child (3 brothers and 1 sister). His mother died when he was five months old.

Keith’s favorite subject in school was always math and his favorite teacher was Superintendent Kenneth Ackerman. He was the first male cheerleader at Clemons High School and cheered for both boys and girls basketball. During high school, Keith also played the alto saxophone and baseball. Keith attended Iowa State University for three years and was called to military service. He served honorably in the U.S. Army and was stationed at Fort Lewis, Washington and at the Panama Canal. Later in life, Keith attended Faith Bible College for four years.

His favorite activities growing up were playing baseball and riding horses. His favorite food was raisin pie and he always got one full of raisins from his mother-in-law for his birthday. Keith’s favorite song was “In the Garden.”

Keith became a Christian at age 14 following evangelistic services at Liberty Church. He attended numerous churches in Boone, Union, Bangor, and, for the past 28 years, First Presbyterian Church of State Center, where he served as the pastor for 20 years. He and Ruth were recognized as Honorary Life Members of the Presbyterian Women organization in 2002. Keith was recorded as a Friends pastor in 1998.

Keith married his high school sweetheart, Ruth Hall, on June 22, 1958, and they had two children, a daughter, Carol Tripp of Union and a son, Michael, of Greer, South Carolina.

He loved to travel with his family, having taken two long trips (4+weeks) in 1976 to the East Coast, including New York, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C. and then in 1977 to the West Coast, including Fort Lewis, Washington; Seattle, Portland, Mt. Rainier, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Salt Lake City. In later years he and Ruth enjoyed time spent in Yuma and Mesa, Arizona.

Keith served on the Marshall County Farm Bureau Board of Directors, Toastmasters, and for several years held his real estate sales license.

In all the jobs Keith held during his life he never left his love of farming and especially feeding cattle. He continued right up to his last days to go out to Mormon Ridge to his daughter and son-in-law’s farm and haul hay with a cab tractor.

Keith also always loved working with the youth at church. One year the church had over 40 young people for summer Vacation Bible School. Keith and Ruth also served as church youth group leaders for 15 years. In 1979 Keith traveled to San Antonio, Texas, with the Iowa Pork Producers to promote pork. He also served on the Resident Advocate Committee for the State Center nursing home for over 10 years.

Keith served 20 years at the Iowa State Fair as a volunteer. In 2007 he was recognized by Governor Chet Culver with the Governor’s Volunteer Award for his work at the fair and with the CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) program in which he was involved for over 15 years.

One of Keith’s best days was the celebration held last year for his 90th birthday and he and Ruth’s 65th anniversary.

Family Note: Dad always thought of his family first before himself. He loved Mom beyond all measure, second only to his Lord and Savior. He was caring, loving, funny, thoughtful, compassionate, thrifty, inspirational, generous, resourceful, devoted to his Lord, strong, tough, and just plain amazing! Dad loved holding babies, always had a twinkle in his eye, and at every opportunity told us “I Love You.”

Keith is survived by his wife of 66 years, Ruth; daughter Carol Tripp (husband, David) and son, Michael (wife, Ellyn). He is also survived by four grandchildren, Emily McDonald (husband, Thomas Mayo), East Greenwich, RI; Krystle Sheehan (husband, Justin), Camarillo, CA; Katelyn McDonald, Allentown, PA; and Rachael Smith (husband, Stephen), of Des Moines. Great-grandchildren are Darwin, Penelope, and Beatrice McDonald Mayo; Sienna Sheehan, Jordan and Jackson Fields; and Cayden and Sylas Smith. Keith is also survived by his sister, Erma Haywood; and half-brothers, Willard, Joseph, and Duane McDonald. In addition, Keith has many nieces and nephews.

Keith is now reunited with his parents, mother and father-in-law, Joseph and Dorothea Hall; step-mother Mary McDonald, brothers and sisters-in-law, Norman and Dorothy McDonald; Wayne and Miriam McDonald; Lloyd and Martha McDonald; brother-in-law, LaVerne Haywood; half-brother, Dwight McDonald, and grandson, Jason Tripp.

Friends and family are invited to a Visitation for Keith from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 21, at Mitchell Family Funeral Home, Marshalltown. Everyone is invited to the Celebration of Life at First Presbyterian Church in State Center on Sunday, September 22, with lunch served beginning at 12:00 p.m., service at 2:00 p.m., and graveside service with full military honors, at Chester Cemetery, rural Union, to follow. Memorials may be sent to the family at 1431 Mormon Ridge Road, Union, IA 50258 and made payable to either First Presbyterian Church of State Center or Bangor-Liberty Friends Church.

- Lovingly written by Keith and his family