Neva McDonald

Escondido, California~ Neva S. McDonald of Escondido, California (formerly of Clear Lake, Iowa and Hudson, South Dakota), passed away on Sunday, October 5, 2014, as a result of complications of Alzheimer’s disease. She was 94 years of age and will be greatly missed.
Neva Shirley Smith was born in Hudson, South Dakota, on September 1, 1920, the daughter of Ross and Myrtle (Miner) Smith. She spent her childhood in the Hudson area at the Smith family farm, graduating from Hudson High School. It was in the Hudson and Hawarden, Iowa area where Neva met her lifetime sweetheart, Dennis Wayne McDonald, son of Charles R. McDonald and Amy R. Edson. Neva and Dennis were married in 1939, and they enjoyed a long and happy life together (over 70 years). Dennis died in March of 2010.
After living shortly in Sioux City and Kansas City, Neva and Dennis moved to Clear Lake, Iowa in 1950, where they lived as longtime residents for 60 years. Neva and Dennis had a happy life in Clear Lake, raising their 3 kids and enjoying the long friendships with their neighbors and friends. Neva was famous around Clear Lake for her morning and afternoon “coffee time”, when friends could always be guaranteed a hot cup of coffee, lively chat, and of course, cookies. Not surprisingly, Neva’s CB handle and nickname was “Coffee Cup”. Neva had a great sense of humor and was quick with a smile. She was happiest when in the company of old friends and family, laughing and joking with everybody.
Neva was a loving mother, wife, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was always upbeat and one of the nicest person you would ever want to know. She seldom thought of herself, but would do anything for her family and friends. You could say that doing things for other people was her main hobby, but she also did enjoy collecting antique toy flat-irons and Chinese porcelain. After Dennis retired in 1983, Neva and Dennis enjoyed traveling the country in their motor home. They especially enjoyed traveling to Colorado and California frequently to spend time with family. In 2009, they relocated to San Marcos, California to be closer to family. Shortly after celebrating their 70th Anniversary, Dennis passed away and Neva moved into an Alzheimer’s Care Center in nearby Escondido, California.
Neva was preceded in death by her husband Dennis; her identical twin sister, Norma (in infancy); her sister, Audrey Smith Miller; and her brothers, Dale Smith and Don Smith.
She is survived by her 3 children, Larry R. McDonald (Maria) of San Marcos, California, Gary W. McDonald (Georgia) of Santa Ana, California, and Connie McDonald (Steve Matous) of Boulder, Colorado. She also leaves 5 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.
Services were held in California and there will be a graveside service at 11:00 a.m. Friday, October 24, 2014 at the Eden Cemetery at Hudson with Rev. Barb Joy officiating. A luncheon will follow at the Hawarden United Methodist Church. Memorials may be sent to the Hospice Foundation of America. Condolences may be sent to www.porterfuneralhomes.com.

Graveside Service

11:00 a.m. ,Friday, October 24, 2014
Eden Cemetery
29590 487th Avenue Hudson, SD, Lincoln 57034