Dixie Lynn McCloud

Dixie McCloud, 66, of Oskaloosa passed away peacefully while surrounded by her family, Wednesday morning, August 21, 2013 at Manor Care Health in West Des Moines, Iowa. Dixie Lynn McCloud was born March 24, 1947, in Oskaloosa, Iowa. She was the youngest of four daughters born to Richard “Doc” and Helen Utt Walker. After graduating from Oskaloosa High School in 1965, she enrolled in the nursing program at Mahaska County Hospital in Oskaloosa. She went on to work at Iowa Methodist Hospital in Des Moines for three years before moving back to Oskaloosa to work at Mahaska County Hospital. Dixie married Donavon “Don” McCloud Sr. in 1970, they made their home in Oskaloosa where they raised a large busy family. Dixie was a devoted wife, mother, daughter and sister. Dixie loved gardening and along with her husband, brought her love and talent of working with flowers, gardening and landscaping to many of the homes in Oskaloosa. Her sense of humor and positive attitude was always present and many say it sustained her through the rigors of dialysis for the last eight years. Being the strong person she was, her strength shone through during these last months. Her nurses and doctors have said she was their favorite patient and always had something funny and positive to say to them during her therapy. She will be missed terribly, but the bouquet of wonderful memories will be treasured. Her family includes her children: Donavon Jr. (Carrie) McCloud and Matt McCloud, all of Oskaloosa, Brad (Dawn) McCloud of Boone, Kevin (Jean) McCloud of Charles City, Darla (Rick) Miller of Marshalltown, Lisa (Charles) Lucas of Oskaloosa and Linda Taylor of Omaha, NE; sisters: Joan Schaeffer of Oskaloosa, Shirley (Bill) Plantan of West Des Moines and Carol (Gayle) Palmer of West Des Moines; and many grandchildren, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband Donavon February 26, 2012. Memorial services will be held at 10 a.m., Friday, August 23 at the Central Reformed Church in Oskaloosa. As was her wish, her body has been cremated. Burial of her ashes will be in Forest Cemetery. Garland-Van Arkel-Langkamp Funeral Chapel is entrusted with the arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to the Dixie McCloud Memorial and may be mailed to Garland-Van Arkel-Langkamp Funeral Chapel 2116 North Third ST Oskaloosa, IA 52577. Memories and condolences may be made by visiting the online obituary guest book at www.gvlfuneralchapel.com. PDF Printable Version

Dixie Lynn McCloud

March 24, 1947 - August 21, 2013