Kathryn (Nipert) McDonald

ONTONAGON — Kathryn (Nipert) McDonald, 94, of Ontonagon, died peacefully at Aspirus Ontonagon Hospital on Monday, July 21, 2014, after suffering a heart attack.

She was born in Ontonagon on July 10, 1920, the daughter of Theron and Sue (Moran) Nipert.

Kathryn was a graduate of Ontonagon High School in 1938 and attended St. Joseph’s School of Nursing, graduating in 1942. She later became the assistant supervisor of obstetrics at St. Joseph’s. Kathryn was also on the staff of Ontonagon Memorial Hospital and was Director of Nurses for several years. Her career also included industrial nurse for Turner Construction Co. during the construction of the White Pine Mine and school nurse for the Copper Country Intermediate School District in Hancock, from which she retired in 1981.

In 1946, she was united in marriage to Donald McDonald, and they made their home in Ontonagon. Don preceded her in death on Nov. 30, 1987. She was also preceded by two brothers, James and William Nipert.

Kathryn was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church and altar guild, VFW Post 5600 auxiliary, Michigan District Nurses Association and the Michigan Association of Retired School Personnel.

She enjoyed reading, crossword puzzles and especially watching baseball games on television. Kathryn was an avid Detroit Tigers fan.

She is survived by her daughter Mary Don (Gerald) Hoffman, of Rockland; two grandchildren, Lori (Glen) Fleming, of Appleton, Wis., and Jerry Hoffman, of Coal City, Ill .; a great-grandson, Nathan Fleming, of Appleton; a sister, Dorothy (George) Premo, of Alpha; and several nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Holy Family Catholic Church in Ontonagon on Thursday, July 24, at 11 a.m. with celebrant Father Michael Jacobus.

Visitation will be held at the church one hour prior to the start of Mass. Burial will take place in the Holy Family Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Ontonagon County Animal Protection Agency would be greatly appreciated, as Kathryn was a lifelong animal lover.

Special thanks are extended to the entire staff of Aspirus Ontonagon Hospital for their compassionate care during Kathryn’s illness. Also words cannot express our gratitude to her wonderful neighbors, Garnet and Jim Bailey, for all they have done for her over the years.

The Cane Funeral Home is assisting the family. Kathryn’s obituary may be viewed and condolences left at canefuneralhome.com.