Earlean Mcdonald

Earlean McDonald, age 84, was called home by our Lord Jesus Christ, Sunday, September 28, 2014. A faithful and devoted child of God, she now sits in the home prepared for her, as the Lord has promised. Earlean often quoted Jeremiah 29 verse 11: "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." Earlean believed in a life of service to others. Earlean was actually born "Florence Earlean Conner", on June 29, 1930 in Minco, Oklahoma (OK). Her parents were Earl and Daisy (Crockett) Conner. A child of depression era Oklahoma, Earlean lived through the dust bowl days. Earlean was preceded in death by her parents, an older brother, Earl Conner, Jr., a younger brother, Bobby Lee Conner and a younger sister, Wanda Conner Ball and Wanda's husband, Patrick Ball. She leaves a younger brother, Bill Conner and his wife, Beverly, of OK and a younger sister, Peggy Conner of TX. Earlean's family were farmers in Bridge Creek and later Tuttle, OK. A fire destroyed the family home at Bridge Creek and forced the family to live in a tent for awhile when Earlean was 14. Her mother, Daisy, was adamant that the children would not start a new school year from a tent so her father bought a farm outside Tuttle. Earlean recalled being frustrated that they had to harvest crops on two farms that year. Like her father, siblings and other Conners before and after her, Earlean graduated from Tuttle High School. Earlean was a member of the first women's basketball team at Tuttle High. Earlean moved to Oklahoma City after graduation and worked at a drug store. It was at this store that she met James C. Ryan, Jr. They married in 1950 at Amber, OK. Earlean and Jim lived in Colorado Springs, CO, Midwest and Oklahoma City, OK. Three children were born to this union. In the summer of 1964, the family moved to Albuquerque, NM and then to Las Cruces in early 1965. The marriage ended about two years later. In 1969, Earlean met Robert Glen McDonald of Mesilla Park. They were married in 1970 adding Glen's four children to her family and heart. She and Glen were married for 31 years when he passed away in 2001. Earlean worked at JC Penney in Oklahoma City, Albuquerque and in Las Cruces. She was with JC Penney when it moved to the new Loretta Shopping Center. After working as supervisor and buyer in the Women's Department, Earlean left Penney's and bought Mode O'Day, also at Loretta. Glen and Earlean also farmed and ran a large U-Pick Garden south of Mesilla Park, not far from the old Hanes Plant. The children, including some who married in, and many of the grandchildren learned strong work ethics and the value of good customer service selling tomatoes, corn, watermelons, etc., through that garden. Family gathering still resound with funny stories from those wonderful times. Glen and Earlean also were contract mail carriers on the Star Route mail route that ran from Mesilla Park into Canutillo, TX. Earlean and Glen, until his death in 2001, traveled the US and the world. The two traveled throughout the US, including a long driving and camping vacation to Alaska. They took a memorable trip to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Earlean traveled to Europe on her own in 1991 to visit a daughter and son-in-law in the military. She and Glen returned several years later to enjoy Europe together. They enjoyed bowling, fishing, playing cards and dominos and family gatherings. Earlean loved to garden, read and cook. Everyone loved her salsa and posole. After Glen passed away, Earlean continued to travel. She traveled to Turkey, Greece, Spain, and spent two weeks in China. While living in the Las Cruces area, Earlean attended Fairacres Baptist Church, Westside Baptist Church and Mesilla Park Baptist Church. After selling the Mesilla Park farm, Earlean returned to Fairacres Baptist Church and remained an active member there until her death. Earlean was very active with the VFW Ladies Auxiliary at VFW Post 10124, Las Cruces, serving in various positions. She traveled throughout the US with the Ladies Auxiliary. Earlean enjoyed the work the Ladies Auxiliary accomplished and the women who worked so hard to accomplish their mission. She appreciated all the wonderful events and experiences her association with the VFW made possible, such as, attending the swearing in of new US citizens and the birthday celebration for the Statue of Liberty. Earlean leaves children: Judy McDonald Wetzel, and husband, Bryan, Las Cruces; Mike Ryan, and partner, Gina Clark, Las Cruces; Bill McDonald, and wife, Jacque, Las Cruces; Barbara McDonald Hoess, and husband, Tim, Amelia, OH; Kathy Ryan Potts, and husband, Michael, Queenstown, MD; Glenda McDonald Arellano, and husband, Manuel, Las Cruces; Kay Ryan Alley, and partner, Les Clary, Las Cruces. She also leaves a special "adopted" sister-friend and traveling buddy, Ellen Rodgers of Las Cruces. Earlean (with Glen's help) had 18 grandchildren and 26 great grandchildren and 3 great great grandchildren. A visitation will be on Friday October 3, 2014 at Getz Funeral Home from 5-7 PM. Funeral services will be held also at Getz Funeral Home, 1410 E. Bowman Ave, Las Cruces, NM, on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2014 at 2:30 PM., with Pastor Chip Moore of Fairacres Baptist Church officiating. Reception will follow at the University Church of Christ, 1555 E. University Ave, Las Cruces. Interment will take place on Monday, Oct 6, 2014, Hillcrest Memorial Gardens Cemetery at 10:00 AM.