Obituary of Genevieve Gertrude McDonald

Genevieve Gertrude Albang was born March 9, 1914 at the home or her parents John W. and Theresa (Warborg) Albang of rural Dyersville. Gen was the third of five children and attended school in rural Hopkinton. Her grandmother Warbrog lived with the family, and the children learned German as a second language, which Gen could still speak rather fluently at 93 years of age. Gen and Mark McDonald were married at Immaculate Conception Church in Sand Springs, Iowa, October 23, 1941. They began their married life in rural Anamosa until Mark was drafted and they lived in Texas and Oklahoma during his tour in the Air Force. After the war they returned to Anamosa and farmed in Cass Township for many years. Although slight in stature, Gen could milk cows and bale hay with the best of them and her great love for animals was passed on to at least two of her goddaughters. When Gen and Mark retired from farming they moved to Monticello, IA, where Marked worked as a skilled carpenter until his death. Gen was preceded in death by her parents, four siblings, her husband, two daughters and one grandson. Her survivors include her brother John (Wilma) Albang of Anamosa, her sister-in-law Mary Lorraine Haas of Cedar Rapids, IA, her son-in-law Neil (Bev) Nord of Tennessee, a granddaughter Tara Nord of Tennessee, and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews who loved and adored her and are scattered across the United States. Gen's family would like to thank all those who helped us during her illness, especially the staff of Silvercrest and the staff of Above and Beyond Hospice. Your love for your work made her final days the best they could be. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Gen's name to either of these fine institutions. Gen faced many hardships in her life but her wit, humor and her famous worrying about everyone endeared her to all who knew her. She leaves us sad because we will miss her so, but we also know, without a doubt, the angels are singing with delight.