July 03, 1924 - August 03, 2021
Wilma O. McDonough, long time resident of Loveland, was called home Tuesday, August 3, 2021, at age 97.
Wilma Oneita Bartz was born on July 3, 1924 in Osage County, KS to Herman and Leona Bartz. She spent her childhood in rural Kansas, where she and her three siblings helped their parents on the farm. She graduated from high school in Cawker City, KS in 1942. Wilma moved to California in 1945, where she received a job as a telephone operator at the Pacific Telephone Company.
In January 1946, she attended a USO dance in Oakland, CA where she met her future husband James E. McDonough, when he asked to cut in for a dance. James was honorably discharged from the Navy on Tuesday, April 30 and they were married the following Sunday, May 5, 1946 in Long Beach, CA. She frequently expressed that after meeting on the dance floor, they continued to dance for 72 years.
The newlyweds moved to Loveland shortly after getting married and together had 3 children: Judith Elaine, James Thomas, and David Michael. Wilma spent her years in Loveland primarily as a homemaker on the family farm. She fondly remembered her times working at Ferguson’s Hardware in downtown Loveland, and was a devoted member of Mountain View Presbyterian Church and their Women’s Circle group. She was also active in the Larimer County Extension. She enjoyed dancing at the Elks club, bowling, sewing, crafts, cooking, and spending time with loved ones.
She is preceded in death by her husband Jim McDonough, daughter Judy Folley, son Jimmy McDonough, her parents, brother Dale Bartz, and sisters Naomi Ferguson and Lavina Schmidt.
She is survived by her son David McDonough and wife Lynn, grandchildren Eric and Tom Folley, Madison McKee McDonough, Kelly Boettger, Jeanette McDonough Dreiling, Sandi Brock; Eight great-grandchildren, a niece June Schmidt, and her son Jimmy’s family: Colleen, Bernie, Brandy and Ashley.
Wilma was a kind and generous daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and friend. She was dearly loved by her family and everyone she crossed paths with and her sharp intellect and generous spirit will be missed by those who knew her. The family would like to extend special thanks to all caregivers, doctors, nurses, and staff at both the Loveland Good Samaritan and Medical Center of the Rockies for taking such wonderful care of Wilma.
Memorial services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Monday, August 9 at Mountain View Presbyterian Church followed immediately by a reception with light refreshments.
In lieu of flowers, contributions and donations can be made to Mountain View Presbyterian Church and Good Samaritan Village of Loveland.
