Phil Edroy McDonald

Phil McDonald, 59, of Bemidji, MN died unexpectedly Wednesday, July 31, 2024 at Sanford Bemidji Medical Center.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Monday, August 5, 2024 at Bemidji Covenant Church. Visitation will be 3-5 p.m., Sunday, August 4, 2024 at Olson-Schwartz Funeral Home, Bemidji and one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in Pine Ridge Cemetery, Turtle River.

Phil was born April 20, 1965 in Grand Forks, ND to Ken and Cheryl (Troftgruben) McDonald. He grew up and lived in Bemidji most of his life and graduated from Bemidji High School in 1983 where he participated in hockey and tennis.  He was a lifelong hockey player from age 5 through Bemidji Old Timers League. He attended Bemidji State University for 2 years and then finished his accounting degree in 1987 at North Dakota State University. On July 18, 1987 he married Linda Ekre in Hawley, MN.  Phil worked as a certified public accountant at Miller-McDonald, Red Lake Gaming, Blackduck Schools and for the last 24 years at Whelan Properties. He enjoyed playing with his grandchildren, fishing, was an avid sports fan and was actively participating in Bemidji Old Timers Hockey, Bemidji Pickleball, Castles Golf League, member of Bemidji Covenant Church and was the commissioner for his fantasy football league for 30 years. Phil was known for his quick-wit and joking nature, handyman extraordinaire, love of movies and anything sports, was a kid at heart and was adored by his grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Cheryl McDonald.

He is survived by his spouse, Linda; son, TJ (Rachel) McDonald of Carbondale, IL; daughter, Nicole (Tylor) Garding of Bemidji; grandchildren, Maximus Garding, Hendrik Garding, Emmitt Garding, Lewis Garding, Tali’Rhea McDonald and Kai Rhys McDonald; father, Ken McDonald of Bemidji; siblings, Darin (Melissa) McDonald of St. Paul and Bobbi (Maria) McDonald of St. Paul and many nieces and nephews; father and mother-in-law, Gordon and Carol Ekre; brother-in-law, Mark (Pam) Ekre; sisters-in-law, Carolyn Francois and Pauline (Dave) Winge.

In lieu of flowers memorials preferred to Bemidji Covenant Church for Pickleball Courts or Bemidji Pickleball Association.

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