Douglas Eldred McMullen

Douglas (Doug) Eldred McMullen passed away on November 22 at the Spencer Hospital under the care of Spencer Avera@Home Hospice, after a three-year battle with Esophageal cancer and later Pancreatic Cancer. He was lovingly surrounded by family throughout his journey. He was born on October 19, 1952, to Eldred and Anna Mae (Dilts) McMullen in Council Bluffs Iowa. Doug was raised on a small farm outside of Underwood, Iowa, with his four sisters. He and his father operated a cow/calf operation that grew to over 230 head by the time he graduated from high school. Off the farm he worked at Herbie’s Union 76 truck stop, Street Department for the City of Council Bluffs and Griffin Pipe Products Company (a steel foundry) which kept his summers busy until he graduated from college in 1975. In high school his primary interests were football, wrestling and theatre. Doug attended Northwest Missouri State in Maryville, Missouri, earning his degree in Animal Science/Agricultural Mechanics/Construction. It was during his college years that he not only earned a degree but made some lifelong friendships/brothers through the Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity (TKE). This group of TKE brothers were extended family to him and remained in touch to his death. In 1976, Doug met Wendy Sue Foley, the love of his life, and married in the fall of 1977. They enjoyed building their life together. They were blessed by a girl Kathleen Anne in 1979 and four years later were blessed with a son, Christopher Douglas. The two gave him immeasurable moments of joy through their wit and athletic abilities. Doug enjoyed the life that these two brought to the family and being a part of their formative years. He was so proud of his children and as they married, he was grateful and proud of their spouses and the successful, loving, happy lives they built for themselves. His grandchildren have proven to be just as enjoyable to watch and spend time with. He enjoyed following all the grandkids at their activities. Doug used his college education until he was 35 at which time he began a 28-year career at UPS, He and his wife both retired together in 2014 after enjoying fulfilling and successful careers at UPS and Northwest Bank. Doug enjoyed and appreciated this time together to enjoy the fruits of their labor. Doug was a true, loyal friend to many and could always be relied upon in an emergency, always calm and decisive. He was always ready to help others, loved all sorts of projects and enjoyed mowing the lawn, boating, fishing, getting together with his fraternity brothers, sharing stories and laughs, family events, and for those of you who knew him well, always had the chain saw ready. His quick wit, wisdom and love will forever be cherished. Doug is survived by his wife Wendy; their children Kathleen Anne Westphal (Nate); Christopher Douglas McMullen (Angie): his Westphal grandchildren, Morgan, Avery and Piper; and his McMullen grandchildren, Maxwell (Max) and Madelyn (Maddie). He is also survived by sisters, Janet Beitz, Carol DeLong and Martha Green and their extended families. As well as his mother-in-law, Florence Klitzke and brothers-in-law Ruben Foley (Carrie); Larry Foley (Karen); and sister-in-law, Linda Reberry (Mike); and their extended families. He is preceded in death by his parents, Eldred and Anna Mae McMullen, sister Phyllis McMullen and nephew, Eric Green. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Avera@Home Spencer Hospice, the American Cancer Society or an organization of your choosing.