Cathaline Patricia (Gunsallus) McDonald

Cathaline Patricia “Kay” McDonald, age 99 of Prairie du Chien passed away Thursday, March 21, 2024, at Prairie Maison in Prairie du Chien.  She was born March 17, 1925, in Altoona, PA, to Blair and (Alverda) Gunsallus.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert, in 2012 after nearly 69 years of marriage, sisters Louise Staines, Margaret Sabota, and Carol Findley.  Cathaline is survived by her brother, Earl, son Bob (Sue), daughters Susan (Omar) Boutni and Martha (Kevin) Colwell, eight grandchildren, nineteen great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.  Kay and Bob were married in Altoona, PA, on January 3, 1944.  “A marriage made in heaven” which her mother always said.  Bob was attending Radio Operator’s School in the Army when they met and gave her the nickname Kay.  She graduated from Altoona High School with a degree in the Commercial Course which proved to be very beneficial when Bob opened the Pines Radio & TV store in 1949.  Bob sold the first tv in town on August 31, 1951.  They made a good partnership with her business training and his army education in radio repair school.  When Bob and Kay chose to make their home in Wisconsin, her mother advised them to be sure to join a church, because that is where you will meet your best friends.  Truer words were never spoken.  They were active member of the Methodist Church since 1946, serving on numerous committees.  Kay’s proudest accomplishment was working with the architect when the educational wing was designed with all classrooms on the ground floor and being handicapped accessible.  Singing in the church choir for 57 years and being part of the Community Choir, directed by Dave Todd, were ways of satisfying Kay’s love for music.  During Kays’s terms as Worthy Matron in Eastern Star, Fred LaPointe was Worthy Grand Patron of the State of Wisconsin, and Kay was given the honor of serving as Grand Page of Pennsylvania in Wisconsin.  Her local contributions of service to the community were widespread.  As the third President of Partners for the new Memorial Hospital, money was raised to purchase a light for the operating room.  A few years later, the Golf Course was opened, and Kay became an active member on the Board of Directors.  After their business was sold, time was spent working at Tiller’s furniture store, as a receptionist for H&R Block and in the office of Wyalusing State Park, retiring at the age of 80.  Despite her busy life, she was an avid golfer and bridge player.  She often repeated: “I have had a good life and a great family with many friends.”

Memorial Services will be Monday, April 8, 2024, at 11:00 A.M. at the United Methodist Church with Pastor Zach Bloom officiating, burial in the Evergreen Cemetery, both in Prairie du Chien. Friends may call at the church on Monday from 9:00 A.M. until the time of service.  The Garrity Funeral Home of Prairie du Chien is assisting the family.

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