McDowell, Anita Mae (Gogel)

Anita Mae (Gogel) McDowell, 66, of Kirkland, Wash., and longtime resident of Walker, died Friday, April 1, 2011, at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy in Hiawatha. Funeral Mass: 10:30 a.m. Monday, April 4, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Walker by the Rev. Ardel Barta. Family will greet friends from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday at Sacred Heart Hall, with a vigil service beginning at 6 p.m. Burial: Sacred Heart Cemetery, Walker. Arrangements by Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Center in Marion.

Survivors include her husband of 43 years, David McDowell; children, Angela Laiser of Oelwein, Scott (Coleen) McDowell of Walker, Michelle (Bob) Blankenship of Kirkland, Wash., and Rieko Oki of Nagoya, Japan; grandchildren, Dylan, Morgan, Colton, Maddalyn and Samuel; a new granddaughter expected in July; her mother, Helen Gogel; and siblings, Ray (Betty) Gogel Jr. of Ventura, Linda (Dick) Taylor of Belfair, Wash., Mary (John Sr.) Kelchen of Robins, Jan (Jack Jr.) Miles of Des Moines, Sandy (Pat) Cummings of Cedar Rapids, Sue Wooder of Morley, Patty (Richie) Price of Palo, Charlie Gogel of Springville and Phyllis Gogel of Cedar Rapids.

She was preceded in death by her father; a granddaughter, DaiShalynn; and brother-in-law, Dale Wooder.

Anita was born Dec. 22, 1944, in Holy Cross, the daughter of Raymond and Helen (Greiner) Gogel. She married David McDowell on Aug. 19, 1967, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Marion. Anita was self-employed as a cosmetologist for over 40 years in Marion and Walker.

She loved canning, gardening, reading, quilting, doing puzzles, and going for walks. She was very active in her churches, both at Sacred Heart in Walker and Holy Family in Kirkland, Wash.

Anita was a very loving wife, mother, and grandmother, always enjoying spending time with children.

Memorials may be sent to Walker State Bank, 116 Greene St., Walker, IA 52352.

Please sign the online guest book for Anita at  under obituaries.