Mary Jean Lenmark

Lenmark, Mary Jean Born on December 4th, 1944, Mary Jean came into this world as the youngest of three children born to Arthur and Clementina Anderson. She left on September 8, 2022, as a devoted Nana, spouse, mother, and dear friend to many. Her early years were spent in northern Minnesota - first in Eveleth where the family resided with her paternal grandparents; followed by a move in junior high to Grand Rapids where she stayed until she graduated from high school. Those years saw Mary Jean participate in activities that would continue as lifelong interests. A $0.65 ticket to see Mary Jean in her high school play, "Kiss & Tell", would later be replaced with slightly more expensive season tickets to the Guthrie, Children's Theatre, and the Ordway. Her participation in student government was the start of countless hours of volunteering at her children's schools (including as President of the Benilde St. Margaret's Mother's Club in 1991), St. Bartholomew's Church, The Courage Center, as well as The Woman's Club of Minneapolis. Her sense of style led to nominations to the homecoming court in high school to beauty contests hosted by the college engineering club (it was a different time, okay!). Her focus in the classroom led to a scholarship to the University of Minnesota where she earned her degree in speech therapy and was an active member of the Tri Delta sorority. While attending the U, in October of 1962, her sister Susan and Susan's close friend, Ginny Lenmark, arranged for a date between Mary Jean and Ginny's younger brother, Voigt Ogden Lenmark, Jr. That first date was followed by semi-annual dates over the next two years while Voigt was in the Army stationed at Fort Dix. It was Thanksgiving 1964 when Voigt proposed to Mary Jean. They married on August 13, 1966. After college, Mary Jean worked as a speech therapist in the Mound school district until the first of their children, Voigt III, was born in 1969. Her focus for the next several years was on raising Voigt III, Missy, Katy, and Dan as well as being an active parent in many school, church and community activities. Her devotion to faith was an integral part of how she lived her life as a wife, mother, daughter and friend. She was also a doting daughter and daughter-in-law as she helped family members as they dealt with the challenges of aging. In 1983, after seeing Dan off to kindergarten, she stepped into the role previously occupied by her mother-in-law as controller of the family businesses, Volco Company and Electric Scientific. She spent thirty years in this role and became a friend, mentor and caretaker of everyone she worked with. She especially loved being able to share her days there with her husband and Voigt III. Mary Jean loved a sense of occasion. Her and Voigt's annual 4th of July pool parties spanned multiple decades. She loved having her backyard abuzz with dear friends laughing and chatting, and children swimming and having diving contests. The house was transformed each season to themes ranging from loving Valentine's, pastel-infused Easters, and spooky Halloweens. It hit its crescendo each Christmas where holiday wall coverings would go up, creche and snow villages were assembled, treats were baked, trees were lit, and even pickles were hidden. MJ thoughtfully needlepointed personalized Christmas stockings for every child, in-law and grandchild - an endeavor that would take months for each one to be completed. Her kids (and later grandkids) loved the warmth and joy surrounding each of these events and how the décor would reflect the whimsy of that particular time of year. MJ had high standards for all and imparted this wisdom with pearls such as the importance of a timely thank you note and stylish dress. Her kids remarked they could get away with little mischief while growing up. Her uncanny ability to at all times see 360 degrees no doubt led to her honorary lifetime appointment to the mythical BSM PCN (Parents Communication Network). Those same qualities later became of comfort to her children in knowing they could always approach her with any of life's "What do I do?" questions. She always imparted wisdom that was rooted in kindness and empathy. Mary Jean and Voigt enjoyed close friendships built around their bridge group, Birthday Club, theater interests, Wayzata Country Club and travel. Early years saw annual trips to Jamaica (17 great ones with friends plus one with the kids); and in the past 14 years, Voigt and MJ enjoyed annual trips to Maui with alternating pit stops in Northern and Southern California visiting Missy and Katy and their families. If one was lucky enough to partake on one of these trips, there was also a good chance you'd get to meet Vacation Nana! No matter if she was at work, play, volunteering, or expertly planning her daughters' weddings, you would not find anyone more organized while making it look effortless. Mary Jean's warmth was outwardly exhibited by infectious laugh. And it was no quiet snicker. An MJ laugh, usually preceded by something said or acted out by son Dan, was a full body experience with bobbing shoulders, eyes watering, and her face covered. And if Dan wasn't around, it was likely something she had made up with her quick wit that was only revealed when the giggling hit its pinnacle. Her laughter was contagious, for even if you didn't understand the joke at hand, you couldn't help but join in the merriment. Did we mention she loved to cook? While gnocchi and lasagna were some of the family's favorites, her grilled cheeses or "no sparing the butter" on toast also satisfied many a grandkid's cravings. She and Dan loved hosting an annual culinary masterpiece with the auction proceeds benefiting Swing for Sophia (the benefit raising funds in honor of Dan and Alli's late daughter, Sophia). The time and effort put into her dishes spoke of her love for those lucky enough to sit at her table. She was most proud of her family and her lifelong friendships. Her family treasures her example of no matter the activity she was involved in she did everything with a quiet elegance and grace. Mary Jean is preceded in death by her parents, Arthur M. Anderson and Clementina K. Anderson, and granddaughter Sophia Lenmark. She is survived by siblings Mark Anderson (Nancy), and Susan Young (Tom); by her husband, Voigt Ogden Lenmark, Jr.; children Voigt III (Krista), Melissa Reller (Steve), Catherine Tanghe (Mike), Dan (Alli); and grandchildren Ashley, Voigt IV, Mallory; Catherine, Avery, McLain; Lily, Henri, Mary; Jack and Emma. A visitation will be held on Friday, Sept. 23 at 10:00am followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00am at St. Bartholomew's Church in Wayzata. Reception to follow at The Woman's Club of Minneapolis. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Faith's Lodge (faithslodge.org) or The Woman's Club of Minneapolis (womansclub.org). Since Nana loved to dress colorfully, attendees are welcome to do the same.Washburn-McReavy.comDavies Chapel 612-377-2203

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Mary Jean Lenmark

December 4, 1944 - September 8, 2022

Tributes

Mary Jean Lenmark

December 4, 1944 - September 8, 2022

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