Edna Krueger McDonald

Edna Krueger McDonald, 93, passed away on Thursday, October 18, 2012. She was born on October 4, 1919 on the family farm outside of Encinal, Texas to Clara and Walter Krueger. Edna was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. Edna attended school in Webb County and after graduation she worked for Mercy Hospital in Laredo, Texas where she met her future husband, Charles McDonald.

Edna and Charles were married on February 27, 1940, and lived in Laredo until Charles entered the Army during World War II. After Charles was sent overseas, Edna went to live with Charles’ sister and her family in Fort Worth. While living in Fort Worth, she worked in one of the large factories that supported the war effort. As the war was coming to an end, Charles was seriously wounded and he spent many months in a hospital recovering. After his release from the hospital, while he was convalescing, Edna and Charles went to live in Encinal with Edna’s Aunt Ruby and Uncle Otto Krueger. When Charles had recovered, Edna and Charles made their home in Austin, Texas. Soon after their daughters, Coleen and Barbara were born, Edna and Charles bought their one and only house in South Austin.

All people were warmly welcomed into Edna’s home, even if they came at meal time. She would always say, “You just add a little more water to the soup”.

After the children started school, Edna went to work — first for Scarbrough’s Department store and then for the State of Texas at the Board of Control. Edna retired from the state after 27 years of service.

Edna was a lifetime, faithful Lutheran and a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church for 50+ years where she volunteered as a Sunday School teacher, Bible School teacher, worked with the Alter Guild and helped the church in many ways. Included in this memorandum is the coffee cake recipe that she consistently made when attending a church meal or for holiday dinners. The recipe is still a favorite of the family.

Edna is survived by daughter, Coleen and Morris Thompson; granddaughters, Devon and Wes Garrison, Gina and Mauricio Suescun, Michele Thompson and Chris Giguere; five great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 47 years, Charles McDonald; brother, Herbert Krueger; sisters, Anita Fowler, Irene Miller, Viola Woods and daughter, Barbara Speer.

Edna is remembered for her love of family and for being a gentle and kind soul. She was charitable and giving in nature, and had the ‘can do, will do’, tenacious spirit that is distinctive of the Greatest Generation. Edna was loved and will be greatly missed.

The family will receive friends at 3:00 p.m., Sunday, October 21, 2012 with funeral services to follow at 4:00 p.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 409 W. Ben White Blvd. in Austin. Interment will follow at Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Memorial Park.

Memorial donations may be made to St. John’s Lutheran Church, Renovation Fund or Abiding Love Lutheran Church, Capital Appeal Fund.

The family would like to thank Barton Hills Assisted Living for their wonderful loving care of Edna.