Ella LaVon (Bowers) McDonald was born on November 20,1937, to parents Arles and LaVon Bowers in Kuna, Idaho. Ellas had three brothers and one sister, all who have preceded her in death. Ella as fond memories of the family home in Stibnite, Idaho where her father worked in the mine. When Stibnite mine closed, he got a job at the mine in Henderson, Nevada. It was in Henderson that Ella met the love of her life. She would often tell the story that Larry Neil McDonald proposed marriage on their third date. A few short months later, the couple were married in Las Vegas on May 27, 1956. Ella and Larry had three sons: Robert Neil McDonald (Jennifer) of Ontario, Oregon, Terry David McDonald (Adeline) of Weiser, Idaho, and Kim Allen McDonald (Cinder) of Boise, Idaho. They were married for 68 glorious years! Ella was a great mother and loved Larry and her boys deeply. Larry was a very successful insurance salesman. The couple traveled to great places for business and pleasure, including Arizona, Mexico and Hawaii. In recent years the couple resided in Ontario, Oregon, and had a winter home in Yuma, Arizona for more than 20 years. In 2022 the couple moved to an Independent Living Center in Boise, Idaho.
Larry took such great care of Ella through all the years and all her medical ailments. on January 2, 2025, Ella was hospitalized with exasperated COPD, she was struggling to breathe. Ella had contracted RSV, and her lungs were not able to recover. Ella was not alone and passed peacefully on January 10, 2025. We know that our mother is now an angel in Heaven.
Ella is survived by her husband, all three sons and numerous grand and great-grandchildren. At Ella’s request, there will be no funeral service. The family may have a private celebration of life in the spring. Condolence cards may be sent to the following address:
Larry McDonald, 1130 N Allumbaugh #164, Boise, Idaho 83704