Hugh McDonald
August 1, 1932 ~ October 9, 2016
Hugh John McDonald went to be with the Lord on October 9, 2016.
He was born August 1, 1932 to Hugh L. and Mary Margaret (Agnew) McDonald, in Amiot, Kansas. Hugh was united in marriage to the love of his life, Wilma Jean Bowman on August 17, 1954. He obtained BS and MS degrees from Kansas State University and served as a pilot in the United States Air Force.
Hugh began his career in education in 1958 as an Assistant County Agricultural Agent in Beloit, Kansas and later as the Extension grain marketing economist at Kansas State. He received a doctorate in Agricultural Economics at the Ohio State University and then accepted a position as a Crops Marketing Economist with the Cooperative Extension Service at North Dakota State University in 1969 and served in that position until retirement in 1987.
After retirement from NDSU, Hugh worked for several years as a marketing consultant for a local agricultural marketing consulting firm. His lifelong goal as an agricultural economist was to educate and assist farmers and the related agriculture community in understanding the role of economics and marketing in production agriculture. He authored numerous articles and publications in the area of agricultural marketing.
Hugh was an active member of Holy Spirit Church, Knights of Columbus, Lions Club, Extension Retirees group, and a Bison Booster.
He is survived by his wife, Wilma Jean; three children, M. Kathleen (Scott) Croaker, Maple Grove, Minnesota; Hugh Timothy (Michelle) McDonald, Little Rock, Arkansas; and Karalee Marie (Tom) Makelke, Wyoming, Minnesota; six-grandchildren, Hugh Ryan McDonald, Meghan (Dillon) Hohertz, Samantha McDonald, Nathaniel and Noah Croaker, and Jack Makelke; his sister, Mary Farver of Little River, Kansas; and his brother, Ronald (Dorothy) McDonald, Reno, Nevada, he is also survived by beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by their daughter, Karol Kay, his parents and brothers-in-law Ivan Gish, Vernon Bowman and Adrian Farver.
Family was everything to Hugh. He was proud of his Irish ancestry and his grandchildren. He enjoyed watching them grow up. Hugh and Wilma Jean made many trips across the country to their grandchildrens’ school events, graduations, and sporting events as their biggest fans as well as trips to keep in touch with extended family and friends. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, traveling the US and the world, woodworking and spent many hours volunteering at several charitable organizations.
Visitation: 6-7:00 P.M. Friday, October 14, 2016 followed by a prayer service at 7:00 P.M. at Boulger Funeral Home & Celebration of Life Center, Fargo.
Funeral Mass: 10:30 A.M. Saturday, October 15, 2016 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Fargo with visitation starting at 9:30 A.M.
Burial: Holy Cross Cemetery North, Fargo.
Memorials in lieu of flowers to Holy Spirit Catholic Church, American Heart Association, or a charity of your choice.
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The McDonald Family
I just learned of Hugh’s passing today (Monday evening) and am shocked and saddened to hear about it. My condolences and prayers to your family. Hugh and other neighborhood members enjoyed many good times together and will be cherished by me. If I can be of assistance in any way please let me know.
Cory & Marv Haverkamp
Our thoughts are with the entire McDonald family.
It was wonderful to see him last April at his granddaughters’ wedding. He was on the dance floor with his beautiful bride of over 50 years. We were awed and inspired. This will be our last and best of many great memories.
We are lucky to have known him.
We are so very sad to learn of Hugh’s passing. Our sincere sympathy to you, Wilma Jean, and your family. We will miss him. May he rest in peace.
Rich and Mary Kay Schmit
Wilma Jean I am so saddened to read of Hugh’s passing. I am thinking about you and your family. Praying for peace and comfort.
Lion Hugh will be greatly missed at the Fargo Lions Club. He was a gentle, caring presence who helped many. His generosity will be remembered.
Peace to all of you, Lion Katherine Tweed
Dear McDonald family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your families. I was very sad to hear of the sudden passing of Kara’s dad. I hope you can all find comfort and peace in his memory. I did not know Hugh however I am a friend of Kara’s who I adore greatly. Hugh raised a wonderful daughter!
My deepest sympathy,
Kristi Speidel
Dear Wilma Jean and Family:
Hugh McDonald was an excellent member of the NDSU Extension Service and I had many great coments about him while traveling throughout ND. He was also a good friend and easy to be with professionally and socially.
It is with great sadness I hear about his passing. I wish you much strength to endure this big loss.
Mort Mazaheri
NDSU Professor Emeritus
Casa Grande, Arizona
So sad to hear abut the passing of Hugh. As an Extension colleague, I admired him for his expertise and leadership, but also because he was a good role model to many new to Extension. We could see he was a trusted and admired person who enjoyed his job of providing service and advice to agricultural producers and businesses. Although we only overlapped for a few years at NDSU, I got to know Hugh and Wilma Jean better while attending the Extension retirees breakfasts in recent years. Hugh will be remembered for his kindness, sense of humor, and genuine warmth and caring for others.
Wilma Jean and family:
I was saddened to hear of Hugh’s passing. He was like an uncle to me and always so helpful when I started working with Extension Ag Economics at NDSU. My condolences and prayers to your family.
Michael and I are so sorry for your loss. Your dad was a wonderful man and will be missed by many.
Wilma Jean,
My sincere sympathy to you and your family.
I know Hallie & Ron are giving you as much support as possible.
We are sorry to hear of Hugh’s passing. He was a great family friend! We will miss him. Our love and prayers to you, Wilma Jean and family.
Dennis and Cathy Erbele, Michael, Cathryn and Christopher
Wilma Jean – My heart is heavy for you and your family at this very difficult time. Hugh was such a gentle man and will be greatly missed. I will pray for the strength for your family to get through this. I will always remember the kindness you and Hugh gave our family at the time of our parents passing (James and Dorothy McLaughlin). Both Hugh and you were our rock. Our prayers are with you.
I am saddened by Hugh’s passing. He was a gentle and kind man. My sympathy to you Wilma Jean and family. Hugh was there when I started my Extension career and we had many good conversations over the years. I admired his thoughtful responses and learned much from him. I will miss him.
Dear McDonald Family,
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of your husband/father/grandfather. You are all in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. I didn’t have the pleasure of meeting Hugh. He sounds like he was an amazing husband, father and grandfather. I consider Kara a dear friend of mine. Cherish all of the wonderful memories!
Wishing you peace,
Troy, Lisa, Conner, Kyle and Ryan Blanchard
Wilma Jean, Kathleen, Tim and Kara and all the spouses/grandchildren-my mom called on Sunday to let me know the shocking/incredibly sad news. I cannot think of a nicer man/family and I was privileged to live across the street from the time I was little until college/marriage. It was as if Hugh and Wilma Jean was a single name as you were an example of two people who were as one. Both so friendly/welcoming/funny/gentle and kind. Together you raised a beautiful family. I can only imagine how big of a loss this is for your whole family. Please know that we are sending prayers/hugs and would also like to thank you for helping my mom so much after my dad passed and her health declined. Hugh will be missed by so many, most importantly by his beloved wife and his cherished family.
Krista, Bruce, Ben and Kalin Stenhaug
First time I meet Hugh was on a deer hunting trip with my father, Howard. He and several other NDSU men came to Beach. Great time and Hugh was one of the reasons I went to Econ Ag graduate school. Over the years had many lunches with him. Always appreciated his advise and friendship. I know my father admired him as well.
I know my father, St Patrick and all the Irish saints are enjoying his presence!
H Michael Hardy
My family is so sad to hear of Hugh’s death. I still clearly recall the evening when my parents took us to McDonald’s to meet them for the first time; they had just moved to Fargo. And over these many years, my parents Wayne and Jeanne have always considered Hugh and Wilma Jean their nearest and dearest friends. I know they are very distraught at Hugh’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with Wilma Jean and the entire wonderful McDonald family.
Condolence from ElRoy andCarol Haadem
As a county agent I had the opportunity to work with Hugh on a number of education activities.
It was very apparent that the ag producers respected Hugh’s opinions and utilized his information in their financial planning.
Hugh’s character, dedication, and respect for ag producers was always appreciated.
Wilma and family
Sorry about Hughs passing –my prayers and thoughts are with your family–Virg Fugere