"TO ALL OF KATHY'S LOVED BE ONES. SHE WILL BE MISSED HERE ON EARTH, BUT WHAT A CELEBRATION IN HEAVEN!!
YOU ALL ARE IN OUT THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS. MAY GOD GIVE YOU STRENGTH AND COMFORT AT THIS TIME."
In loving memory of
Kathleen R. McDonald
July 2, 1959 - December 18, 2010
Kathleen Ruth (Bruggeman) McDonald (Kathy), formerly of South Sioux City, NE entered the gate of heaven and was welcomed by her loved ones on Saturday, December 18, 2010. A celebration of her life will be at 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday, December 22, 2010 at Morningside Lutheran Church in Sioux City, IA with Revs. Kevin Lee and Al Weiss officiating. Burial will be in the Dakota City Cemetery in Dakota City, NE. Visitation will begin at 5:00 P.M. on Tuesday, December 21, 2010, with the family present at 6:00 P.M. and a prayer service at 7:00 P.M. at the Mohr Funeral Home in South Sioux City, NE. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be directed to the June E. Nylen Cancer Center in Sioux City. Online condolences may be sent at www.mohrfuneralhome.com.
Kathleen was born July 2, 1959, the daughter of Edward P. and Gloria D. (Sailors) Bruggeman in Sioux City, IA. She attended schools in the Siouxland area, graduating from South Sioux City High School in 1976. She also attended Western Iowa Tech Community College and the University of Phoenix Institute, working towards her degree in Business Administration. She was a member of Morningside Lutheran Church in Sioux City, IA. She was also formerly employed as the Coordinator of Volunteer Services at Mercy Medical Center in Sioux City until her disability from back surgeries.
In August, 2007, Kathy was diagnosed with Stage IV Ovarian Cancer. She fought her cancer with absolute courage and a never give up attitude. It may have taken her body, but it never came close to taking her spirit. She greatly appreciated all the kindness, thoughts, compassion, prayers and love she endured throughout her illness. She frequently stated that she would have never made it as long as she did without her FAITH, FAMILY & FRIENDS. She loved life and cherished each and every one of her friends and family in their own unique way.
She married John W. Orr in 1978, and they had two children. The couple later divorced. She then married Randall D. McDonald on August 24, 1991 in Latham Park in Sioux City, IA. They made their home in South Sioux City, NE until moving to Dakota Dunes, S.D. in 2010.
Left to cherish her memories are her husband, lover and best friend, Randall D. McDonald; a daughter (her angel from heaven) Amanda J. Orr and her significant other, Michael P. Schmiedt, both of South Sioux City, NE; a son (whom she was so proud of and who never let her down) John E. Orr and his wife, Kristie (McCormack) of South Sioux City, NE; a step-daughter, Leslie M. McDonald-Gonzalez and her husband, Jay of Jefferson, S.D.; and step-son, Blake R. McDonald of Sioux City, IA (both whom she felt blessed to have and shared so many years and special moments with). Her pride and joy were her children, as well as her grandchildren, Jaden L. Camerer, Alexis J. Orr, John E. Orr, Jr., Braeden M. Orr, all of South Sioux City, NE, Breckyn E. Gonzalez, Michael B. McDonald, both of Jefferson, S.D., and Destiny M. McDonald of Sioux City, IA, all whom she cherished and loved dearly. Kathy truly enjoyed spending quality time with all her little blessings from above. They were such and inspiration to her...they were her life. She believed that when you loved someone...you loved them with your whole heart!
She is also survived by her parents, Gloria (Bruggeman) and Willis Schultz; her sisters, Cindy and her husband, Lee Ford of Dakota City, NE, Jennifer Bruggeman and her significant other, John Jager, Jean (Pulfrey) and her husband, Wesley Orr all South Sioux City, NE; her brothers, Ken Bruggeman and his wife, Laura, of Hubbard, NE, and Jim Bruggeman, and his wife, Penny of Sioux City, IA; a step-sister, Karen Schultz, and her significant other, Don Helberg of Scottsbluff, NE; a step-brother, Victor Schultz and his wife, Cherie, of Dakota City, NE; her mother/father-in-law, Kenneth and LaVonne McDonald of Jackson, NE; sisters-in-law, Tammy McDonald of Minneapolis, MN, Lorilee (McDonald) Sitzmann and her husband, Timothy of Sioux City, IA, Tiffany (McDonald) and her husband, Michael Miller of Ankeny, IA; and brothers-in-law, Scott and Todd McDonald of Jackson, NE. Kathy is also survived by many precious nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and very special friends.
She was preceded in death by her father, Edward P. Bruggeman; a sister, Patricia Ann Bruggeman; her maternal grandparents, Rev. C.A. and Lillie M. Sailors; paternal grandparents, Paul H. and Ruth G. Bruggeman; uncles, James A. Bruggeman, James Earnest, Donald Sailors; and cousins, Jason Bruggeman and James Earnest, Jr.
Tributes
"Willis, Gloria & Family...So sorry for your loss. Kathy will be greatly missed in our family, as she was the life of the party. She is now resting with our loved ones that has went on before us. Love you all. Bev. & Family"
"My heart is broken but at the same time so happy she has gone to be with her dad and others that have gone before. Oh what a reunion that must have been!I wish we could have been there to celebrate her life with all of you. We love you all and you are always in our thoughts and prayers. "
"You are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Stay strong."
"We just wanted to let you know our thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family during this most difficult time, she was an amazing lady and will be missed by all that knew her. "
"Dear Willis & Gloria, Dianne and I desire to share our love and deepest sympathy to you and your family. Our memories of Kathy are memories of a very special young lady who lived life to the fullest and who filled a room with her enthusiasm and joy. She will be missed by all who knew her. We know that God will continue to grant you His grace, His comfort, and His special peace during this time of loss. Please know that our prayers are with you during this difficult time. "
"To The Family of Kathy (Bruggeman) McDonald:
Our sympathy and prayers to your entire family. I had no idea she was fighting this battle. She sure came by it 'HONESTLY' to never give up. Please know we are so sorry to hear of your loss.
Love,
Pete, Tracy (Kellogg) & Lane Christophersen"
"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Kathy so far away. Her time on this earth was well spent and ended so soon. In this time..... we wish you all the strength and love to get through to see a new day and to remember the good moments fondly for the rest of our days. The OGara Family Tokyo Japan"
"Gloria and Willis, "We never say good bye to our loved ones, we cherish the memories in our heart, and remember all the good times. What we have once enjoyed we never lose... All those we love deeply, become a part of us. Those we love are never gone they live within our heart. Love and prayers. "
"Our hearts go out to the entire family in this time of sorrow. May all the wonderful memories you cherish provide some comfort to you now and in the days ahead....To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die....She will forever be in your heart."
"Dear Willis & Gloria, Our deepest sympathy to you and the whole family of Kathleen. May God continue to grant you His grace, comfort, and peace during this time of loss. Our love and prayers to you."
"Kathy's laughter, smile and friendship will live on in my heart always. I feel blessed to have known her...she touched so many lives with her gifts of friendship and love....she was truly a very special person."