Kathleen R. McDonald

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. ...[more]

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e 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.