Louisa McDonald

Louisa Caroline Kuschel McDonald was born on April 24th, 1928 in San Diego, California, to Eva Garnet Grant and Henry August Kuschel. They then lived in Alpine, California until she was about six years old, when her family relocated to Willcox, Arizona, where they farmed, raising primarily beans and alfalfa. Louisa graduated from Willcox High School and went to the University of Arizona where she studied English. There she met her husband, Lawrence (Larry) Larange McDonald, Jr. who had grown up on a cattle ranch east of Douglas.Larry and Louisa were married in her parents farmhouse on May 19th, 1951. That same month Larry received his Masters Degree and joined the army during the Korean War era. They were stationed in Texas and at Fort Knox, Kentucky where their oldest child, William Wayne was born. Also during this time, Louisas only sibling Norman died as the result of injuries received in a truck accident. After Larrys military service ended, they moved to Safford, where Larry taught English at Eastern Arizona College. Their daughter Laura Beth was born there in 1953. In 1955, Louisa joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and her family was sealed for eternity in the Mesa Arizona Temple by Larrys great-uncle Henry L. Smith, who had originally married Larry and Louisa as a justice of the peace. Larry and Louisa loved the beauty of the Gila Valley and their many associations there. During the summers, the family enjoyed staying at the McDonald family ranch. In 1961, Louisas mother died as the result of a car accident, and in 1962, Louisa had a son Norman Bruce, who died in infancy. Larry and Louisa moved from Safford in 1963 and spent a year in Tempe where Larry worked toward his PhD at Arizona State University. Their son Alan Kent was born there. Larry then began over thirty years of teaching at Arizona Western College in Yuma, where their youngest child, Eva Leanne, was born. In 1988, Louisa and Larry enjoyed a long-anticipated trip to England and Scotland with Leanne. In 1998, Larry retired from teaching, and they planned a move back to Safford to be closer to their children. While their home was being built, Larry died suddenly of a massive stroke. Louisa moved to Safford alone, in a home designed with two studies to house their extensive library, where she lived next door to her daughter Laura and her family and, for the final seven years of her life, with her daughter Leanne and her family. Louisa was a loving wife and a devoted mother and grandmother. She was a patient listener with a delightful sense of humor. She was a lover of animals and nature with tremendous knowledge as her early employment with the San Diego Zoo and with Yellowstone National Park reflected. Louisa was a voracious reader of everything from Robert Frost to Edgar Rice Burroughs and an accomplished poet whose work was published in several literary magazines and in a chapbook. She also was a scribe and invaluable assistant to Larry as he worked on writing a lengthy novel. She continued to take college courses throughout her life, particularly creative writing courses. She also enjoyed acting in community theater productions, and she was a fine artist. Louisa was actively involved in church assignments, including serving as Relief Society president. One of her favorite callings was as Sister Friendly. She would wear a large hat and read stories from the church magazine The Friend to the Primary children. In 2002, Louisa served a mission to the Washington, DC temple which was one of the highlights of her life. Shortly after her return, she was diagnosed with Alzheimers disease. For some time after the onset of her illness, she continued to take writing classes at the college, to create award-winning pottery, to enjoy her association with the book club, and to go for long walks. Louisa faced the effects of her disease with great courage and patience. Her family is grateful for the service of kind caregivers, including Leanne, her husband Philip McElroy and their daughter Lydia. In addition to Leannes family, Louisa is survived by her son William Wayne (Mary) of Sycamore Ranch near Douglas and their daughter Sarah (PJ) Parmar of Denver, Colorado; her daughter Laura (Paul) David of Safford and their children David (Eryn) and children Mattie, Grace, Eden, Emma, Amy and Calvin, currently of Rio de Janerio, Brazil, Barbara (Lance) Tacquard and children Olivia and Vivianna of San Diego, California, Nicholas (Amy) David of Epworth, Iowa, and Rachel and Caroline David of Safford; her son Alan Kent (Abby) of Bisbee, and children Brianne Everett and her daughter Jaimie, Alanna and Rebecca. She was predeceased by her parents, her brother Norman, her infant son Norman Bruce, and her husband Larry. Calling hours for Louisa will be Friday evening from 5 until 7 at McDougals Caldwell Funeral Home. Louisa will be buried next to her husband in Cottonwood Cemetery on the family ranch outside Douglas. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the general missionary fund or humanitarian fund of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, or to the Alzheimers Association at www.alz.org, to the Malpai Borderlands Group www.malpaiborderlandsgroup.org or to the Larry McDonald Memorial Scholarship at Arizona Western College at www.foundation.azwestern.edu Family will receive friends for a visitation on Friday, April 27, 2012 from 5-7 p.m. at the Caldwell Funeral Chapel. Private services and burial will be on Saturday, April 28, 2012 at the Cottonwood Cemetery.