Mary Louise (Kerber) McDonald, 90, of Lafayette, passed away Sunday, October 30, 2022, at Mulberry Health in Mulberry.
Born prematurely on February 2, 1932, to the late William E. and Clara M. (Bratz) Kerber, and weighing only 2 pounds, the doctors did not expect Mary to survive but she surprised them all! Mary went on to graduate from Dayton High School and on June 12, 1955, she married her forever love, Charles E. McDonald in Lafayette. Mary was a proud-homemaker and a go-getter. She held several outside of the home jobs, such as cleaning houses and working at Alcoa. She also helped farm, drive tractors, and haul crops to the elevator.
Mary enjoyed sewing, gardening, camping, and being outdoors. She also enjoyed traveling, especially to Florida, where she and Charlie lived throughout the winter months from 1992 – 2012. She was a member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, the Camper Club, Star City Corvette Club, Home Economics Club, and Dayton Chapter of the Order of Eastern Star. Mary also involved with and ran the Stockwell Recreation Softball Program.
Mary spent many of her weekends teaching her brood of grandchildren how to mend a pair of jeans, thread a bobbin, and the correct way to measure flour. She also taught them how to snap green beans and put salve on their burns after their failed attempts to bake cookies. Mary loved spending time with her family and friends, and she will be greatly missed.
Along with her husband, Charles, she is survived by her 2 sons, Randy (Laura) McDonald, Duane (Candy) McDonald, both of Lafayette; 5 grandchildren, Ryan McDonald of Indianapolis, Whitney (Casey) Bell of Lafayette, Austin McDonald of Lafayette, Steve (Sarah Kundrat) McDonald of Lafayette, and Sarah (Corey) Ginn of Lafayette; and 6 great-grandchildren, Waylan, Sterling, Kashdyn, Torrin, Jordan, and Emilia.
She was preceded in death by her parents, William E. and Clara M. Kerber.
Memorial contributions in Mary’s name may be given to the Order of Eastern Star.
Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm, Wednesday, November 2, 2022, at Soller-Baker, Lafayette Chapel, 400 Twyckenham Blvd., Lafayette, IN 47909.
Funeral service at 10:00 am, Thursday, November 3, 2022, at Soller-Baker, 400 Twyckenham Blvd., Lafayette, IN 47909.
Interment will follow at Asbury Cemetery, Green Hill, Indiana.