Malcolm Harvey “Mac” Mac Donald, age 93, formerly of Neshkoro, died Saturday, April 19, 2014 at
Markesan Resident Home. He had suffered from congestive heart failure.
Mac was born June 3, 1920 in Chicago, IL, the son of Alexander J. and Elizabeth Sech Mac Donald.
After honorably serving in the U.S. Army Air Corps from 1942-1945, he married Bernice Schwandt on
September 15, 1945. They settled in Markesan where Mac worked in a hardware store which began
his career in sales and marketing.
Mac later became an auctioneer and manager at Equity Livestock in Ripon. His association with
farmers led to his “early morning farm guy” radio show at the Ripon radio station WCWC, which ran
for many years.
Eventually he became manager at WISS radio station in Berlin where he became
known for singing “The Checker Board” song, having fun at “The Polka Palace” with “Yackity Mac”,
and many other pranks with farmers and friends.
After retiring in 1985, Mac and Bernice moved from Ripon to their lake home in Neshkoro. They both
became active members of Zion United Methodist Church and the Neshkoro Breakfast Club where
they made many very good and life-long friends. They enjoyed their retirement years by traveling
extensively to Scotland, Canada, Germany and all over the United States. Mac enjoyed fishing on
Big Green Lake, playing cards, watching baseball, teaching his grandchildren to fish, swim and boat
on Golden Sands Lake. He enjoyed telling jokes and stories as well as playing jokes on them. He
always told people to enjoy life to the fullest because: ”just like milk, life has an expiration date.”
Mac is survived by two daughters, Susan (Charles) Wallschlaeger and Sally (Gary) Kenton of Green
Lake; four grandchildren, Nadene (Ron) Kasuboski of Markesan, Laura (Lt. Col. ret. Stephen) Smith
of Sandy, UT, Corey (Jill) Wallschlaeger of West Bend and Andrew (Stephanie) Wallschlaeger of Coon
Rapids, MN; nine great-grandchildren, Joe, Dan, DeVene and Kendra Kasuboski, Madeline & Nicholas
Smith, Mason Wallschlaeger, and Addison and Reagan Wallschlaeger; a brother-in-law, Roland
Schwandt of Ripon; and brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Carlie and Betty Ruenger of Markesan;
numerous nieces and nephews. Mac was preceded in death by his wife, Bernice, on April 25, 2011,
after 65 years of marriage; and also by his parents; one sister and two brothers.
Memorial services will be held on Saturday May 3, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at Zion United Methodist
Church in Neshkoro, the Rev. Aaron Alfred officiating. Inurnment will follow in the church cemetery.
Friends and relatives may call at the church on Saturday morning from 10:00 a.m. until the time of
services. Arrangements have been entrusted to Barbola Funeral Chapel. Online condolences may be
sent to the family at barbolafc@yahoo.com.
The family wishes to give their heartfelt thanks to the caring and supportive staff as well as residents
at Markesan Resident Home. Special thanks to Dr. James Williams for his exceptional care.