Mary Jane Arnold

Mary Jane Arnold, 84, of Detroit Lakes, passed away on Sunday, October 20, 2024, at Sunnyside Nursing Home in Lake Park, MN.

Born on March 20, 1940, at 7:40 PM in her grandparents' home on a farm just outside Elbow Lake, MN, Mary Jane was the daughter of Odien Oscar and Mary Estella (Kehr) Lindgren. Although the house is no longer standing, she fondly recalled that it often snowed on her birthday, a memory that remained with her throughout her life.

Mary Jane or Janie as she likes to go by, grew up on the farm where her mother canned vegetables and butchered meat for storage. The family raised chickens for eggs and cultivated a variety of crops. She took pride in saving seeds for the following year’s planting and enjoyed making homemade bread. Berry picking was a cherished activity; she would walk about a mile to gather berries for pies, jams, and jellies. Eating out was rare; instead, she worked in the kitchen for free lunch.

The family lived on a rented farm about three miles from Elbow Lake until just before Mary Jane turned nine. She attended Elbow Lake grade school to start, then country school and later graduated high school in Henning, MN before pursuing some college education to become a bookkeeper.

In July 1958, Mary Jane joined the Air Force in Minnesota and was stationed in San Antonio, TX where she was honorably discharged in June 1959 at Lackland Air Force Base. Shortly thereafter, she married Lynnon Burl Arnold on July 19, 1959, at Lackland AFB in Texas. Lynn and Janie raised two children together, Debora and Jeffrey, and enjoyed lives full of dancing and travel.

Mary Jane was known for her wit and her warm demeanor; she always looked forward to family gatherings and loved hosting company. A talented seamstress, she could sew just about anything, blessed her loved ones with many items she made. Her appreciation for a good home cooked meal was matched only by her enjoyment of a good glass of plum wine.

Mary Jane is survived by her children: Debora Bowman and Jeffrey Arnold; grandchildren: Tiffany Hagen and John Sims (Sarah Anderson); and great granddaughters: Caydence Hagen, Ariya Sims and Devina Sims and sibling Monroe M. Lindgren, as well as many nieces, nephews, friends and other family. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband and sister Esther C. Simon.

The memorial service for Mary Jane Arnold will be held at David-Donehower Funeral Home, 609 US HWY 10 E., Detroit Lakes, MN 56501, on Friday, October 25, 2024 at 10 AM with Jorde Hutton officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior. David-Donehower Funeral Home is serving the family. For more information, please visit DavidDonehower.com, or call (218) 847-4147.