Mary Jane McDonald Obituary

Mary Jane McDonald, age 84, passed away on March 21st, 2025

She was born April 4th, 1940 to Edgar and Ann Marie (Gatewood) Sears in Loup City NE. The family moved to Decatur Ne. and Jane graduated from Decatur High School. After high school, Jane attended college at Duchesne Academy in Omaha ( when it was a still a college) and played volleyball while working on a 2 year administrative assistant degree. Later in life, she continued on to get her Bachelor's Degree in social work, from the University of Nebraska Omaha. She worked many years in this field primarily in the alcohol and drug counseling area. At the age of 50, she decided to pursue her Master's in Social Work at Denver University. After completing her Masters, she returned to Iowa where she continued her career in social work.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her son, Matthew James McDonald; her grandson, Dillon Matthew Ruby; siblings, Rita Mockus, Eddy Sears, and John Sears.

Jane is survived by children, Christopher (Ellen) McDonald and Theresa (Troy) Ruby; grandchildren Zach McDonald, Gage McDonald, Ethan (Kelsey) Ruby, and Hunter Ruby; great grandson Wyatt Russell Ruby; a host of other family and friends.

A Celebration of Life will we held May 10th, 2025 at The Shed (27405 Dogwood Rd. Treynor Ia. 51575) 3pm-6:00pm. In lieu of any flowers, cards or memorials , Jane would like everyone to cheer for the Nebraska Cornhuskers this season. GO BIG RED!