Iva J. McDonald

Iva J. McDonald, 97, of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, passed away peacefully Friday afternoon, December 12, 2025, surrounded by her family at Baylor Grapevine Hospital, Grapevine, Texas.

Iva was born on December 17, 1927, to Henry H. Sowder and Eva (Watson) Sowder in Middlesboro, Kentucky. She spent most of her young life in Speedwell, Tennessee and graduated from high school there. After graduation, Iva attended business school in Ohio for two years. It was there she met Gerald B. McDonald, who would become her beloved husband for 44 years. They were married on June 22, 1953, in Ohio. Shortly after marrying, the McDonald’s moved to Bartlesville, where they worked for Gerald’s parents at Mc & Mc Grocery. In the early 1960s, the McDonald’s owned and operated the Tastee-Freez Drive-In on West Frank Phillips Boulevard and later, owned and operated Jerry’s Drive-In on north US Highway 75.

Being a self-employed restaurateur, Iva was dedicated to the success of their family-owned businesses, but after selling their business, she enjoyed ceramics and gardening. Her green thumb grew many flowers and vegetables, including asparagus and tomatoes.

Survivors include her son, Bruce McDonald and daughter, Sandra McDonald, both of Northlake, Texas; one granddaughter, Victoria Pierce and husband, Ryan of Ft. Worth, Texas and one great-grandson, Saxon. Iva was preceded in death by her parents; by her husband, Gerald on January 10, 1997; by two brothers, Albert and Everett Sowder; and by a sister, Hazel Sowder.

A graveside service will be held at 2pm, Wednesday, December 17, 2025 – what would have been Iva’s 98th birthday – at Bartlesville’s White Rose Cemetery with Pastor Chris Humby officiating. Services have been entrusted to Arnold Moore & Neekamp Funeral Home and Cremation Service. To send an online condolence, visit www.honoringmemoriesbartlesville.com.