Dolores Rita McDonnell, 86, of Dell Rapids passed away Saturday, January 14, 2017 at Golden Living Center in Madison, SD. Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11:00 AM Thursday, January 19, 2017 at St. Mary Catholic Church in Dell Rapids. Burial will be in the Trent Cemetery, Trent, SD. Visitation with the family present will be from 5:00 to7:00 PM with a Wake Service at 6:00 PM and praying of the Rosary at 7:00 PM Wednesday, January 18, 2017 at Minnehaha Funeral Home in Dell Rapids. On-line condolences may be left at the Minnehaha Funeral Home website.
Dolores was born on March 3, 1930, the oldest of seven children to Emil and Mary “Opal” (Davenport) Eisenbeis in Montrose, South Dakota. She grew up in Madison, SD and attended General Beadle Teacher College. It was at this time that Dee met the love of her life, Gerald McDonnell and married him on November 13, 1950. They were married 64 years. Dee took on the role of homemaker and mother as their family grew to include seven children. She and Jerry resided in several Midwestern towns as they raised their family: Madison, Rapid City, Denver, Fon du Lac, Hales Corners, Milwaukee, Huron, DeSmet and Dell Rapids. After moving to Dell Rapids in 1972, Dee began working outside the home. In retirement, she enjoyed volunteer work. She was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church.
Grateful for having shared her life are her children, Kathleen Matthew of Spearfish, Gary (Susie) McDonnell of Algonquin, IL, Patricia Park of Wentworth, Karen (Ken) Rahn of Madison, Colleen (Mark) Jensen of Dell Rapids and Janine (Reed) Hoffmann of Dell Rapids; 22 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; sisters, Lola (Henry) Zwart and Joy Dixon and brother, John (Kathi) Eisenbeis.
She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; son, Michael McDonnell; sons-in-law, Rodney Park and Randy Tiesen; grandson, Kurtis Lee Matthew and three brothers, Hartzel, Lyle and David Eisenbeis.
As matriarch of a large family, Dee strived to include everyone fairly. It is in this spirit that her grandchildren will have the honor of being named as casketbearers at her funeral; Bill Matthew, Jon DeBoer, Ben DeBoer, Jerry McDonnell, Danny McDonnell, Katie McDonnell, Jimmy McDonnell, Aaron Park, Mandy Park, Scott Park, Rose Park, Kenny Rahn, Sarah Rahn, Cheri Westendorf, Lori Baum, Dawn Lowman, Bridget McDonnell, Jeremy Hoffmann, Shannon DenOuden, Desirae Lovik, Erich Hoffmann and Elias Hoffmann.
