Mary Reed

Mary Jo Reed, 84, of Fargo, ND (formerly of East Gull Lake, MN) died on Sunday, January 17, 2016 at Bethany on 42nd in Fargo, ND with her family by her side. A Memorial Service for Mary Jo will be held on Tuesday, January 26, 2016 at 11:00AM at Brenny Funeral Chapel in Baxter, MN with visitation one hour prior to services at the chapel. Luncheon will follow services at the Brenny Funeral Chapel Reception Room. Interment will be at Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Little Falls, MN.

Mary Jo was born on November 10, 1931 in Minneapolis, MN to Charles and Gertrude (Cornelius) Vandecar. She was raised in Anoka, MN and graduated from Anoka High School in 1949. She married her high school sweetheart David O. Reed, on December 16, 1950 in Anoka, MN. She worked for NW Bell as an operator before moving to Germany with her husband for a couple of years while he was on active duty. In 1955, they returned from Germany and she began working at the State Bank of Anoka while David attended the U of M. Mary Jo was also co leader for Girl Scout Troop #5 in Anoka. In 1964, they moved to Brainerd, MN where she began working again for NW Bell as an operator/service representative. Mary Jo was very active in the Nisswa Womens' Club, the Nisswa Gardening club, and was a volunteer for many years in the St. Joseph's Hospital Auxiliary. She was a member of a local book club and loved to play Bridge. They were avid cross-country RV-ers in their motor home from coast to coast until they became "Snow Birds" when they purchased a home in Tucson, AZ in 1996. They remained at East Pointe on Gull Lake during summers. She and David worked as volunteers for the Arizona Desert Museum and were members of the Sun City Vistoso Hiking Club. Mary Jo loved to go shopping, especially antiquing. She liked collecting bears, southwestern jewelry, Mata Ortiz pottery, native textiles, artwork, along with various antiques and collectables. She also loved decorating, entertaining, teaching/practicing yoga, and, of course, Siamese cats.

Mary Jo is survived by her husband, David of Fargo, ND; daughter, Kate (Jack) Schmalenberg; grandchildren, Jared and Jonathan Rardin; great-grandchild, Michael R. Rardin; and brother, James Vandecar. She was preceded in death by her parents. Arrangements have been entrusted to Brenny Funeral Chapel in Baxter, MN.