Hazel Madora McDonald

Hazel Madora McDonald, age 99, of Ogallala, NE, formerly of Arthur, went to be with her Lord and Savior and loved ones on Friday, April 23, 2021, at Indian Hills Manor with her loving family by her side.

Hazel was born on March 21, 1922, at Bonesteel, SD, to Charles Parker and Mary Mirilla (Ingram) Jackson.  Mary passed away when Hazel was five and the family moved to Nebraska, living in and around the Lewellen, Oshkosh and Lemoyne areas until Hazel moved to Ogallala when she was 16 years old.

Hazel graduated from the Ogallala High School in 1940.  She married Emery Cooney and one son, Edward Lee Cooney, was born to this union.  They later divorced.  She married Clyde McDonald of Arthur in Las Vegas on March 2, 1948, and daughter Cathleen Ann McDonald and son Tommy Eugene McDonald were born to this union.  Clyde and Hazel resided in Arthur, where they raised their family.  In 1960 they welcomed Hazel's nephew Gene "Bill" Smith into their hearts and home to become part of the family.  Hazel was a dedicated wife, mother and grandmother.  She was always cheerful but could be known to have a "Jackson Fit" if necessary. During her residency at Indian Hills Manor, she continued to bless others with her smile, sense of humor and humming as she lived out her days.

Hazel handled her life with courage and faith in God, overcoming whatever hardships she faced, and she celebrated the good times in the same spirit.  She would be the first to say she had a blessed life and when life gets difficult just "keep on dancing." Hazel had a variety of jobs during her life, including working in the Arthur Café, cooking at the Ogallala Country Club and being a waitress at the Hill Top Inn.  She was employed by the U.S. Postal Service, working in the Arthur Post Office until her retirement in December of 1989. 

Hazel was a lifelong member of the Arthur Baptist Church, where she taught Nursery Sunday School for many years and served as a Deaconess.  She was also a member and active in American Legion Auxiliary Post 207, and she served on the Arthur Village Board of Trustees and the Arthur County School Board of Education. Hazel loved music and enjoyed dancing as long as she could.  She enjoyed refinishing furniture and was affectionately known as the "stripper." She also enjoyed attending auctions and buying antiques and spending time with friends and family. 

Survivors include her daughter, Cathleen Sibal; son Tom (Heidi) McDonald; nephew Gene "Bill" Smith; daughter-in-law Karol Cooney; five grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; two great step-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews and other close family members and close friends.

Preceding her in death were her parents, husband Clyde, son Ed Cooney, son-in-law Pat Sibal, grandson Shawn Cooney, and sisters Helyne Frehner and Donna VanNewkirk.

A Funeral Service was held April 30, 2021, at the Baptist Church in Arthur with Pastor Blake Wilkes officiating. Interment was in the Arthur Cemetery.

Online condolences may be left at www.drauckerfh.com by clicking the share a memory button. The service will be recorded and posted.

Memorials are suggested to the Arthur Baptist Church and American Legion Auxiliary Post 207 in her name.