Marcia Jean (Stordahl) Jones

Marcia Jean Jones, age 81, of Lake Crystal, died on Saturday, December 28, 2019 at The Beacon in Lake Crystal.

Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, December 31 at 2:00 p.m. at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, Butternut. Visitation will be Tuesday from 12:30-2:00 p.m. at the church. Burial will be in Our Saviour’s Lutheran Cemetery, Butternut. Lake Crystal Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Marcia was born on April 16, 1938 in Fairmont, MN to John E. and Myra (Asleson) Stordahl. She graduated from Mankato High School in 1956. Marcia worked for the Mankato Public Schools after graduation. On March 22, 1958, Marcia was united in marriage to Russell D. Jones at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Mankato. She and Russell made their home on the Jones family farm in Butternut Township, northwest of Lake Crystal. Marcia and Russell had four children, Trish, Steven, Michael, and Melissa. In the early 70’s, Marcia began helping Ardella VonOhlen in her floral business, which eventually became the Rose Window Florist and Gift Shop in Lake Crystal. Later, Marcia took over ownership of the Rose Window and continued in that capacity until her retirement.

Marcia was a strong supporter of the community, she served for many years on the community school board. She was first elected to the Lake Crystal School Board and helped lead and oversee the consolidation with Wellcome Memorial to help form one of the first consolidated school districts in the state. She also served with the Minnesota State School Board Association during her tenure. Those early years of consolidation were often difficult, but Marcia believed first and foremost in providing the best education possible to the children of those communities, and worked tirelessly toward that goal. Marcia was a member of Our Saviour’s Lutheran in Butternut and was active in many aspects of the church community, including directing the church choir, serving as Sunday School Superintendent for many years, and providing leadership on the church council and WELCA. Marcia also served on the Synod level for WELCA. Marcia also found ongoing grace and support in the Al-Anon program, and was active in groups in Mankato and Lake Crystal. She helped many others to better living through the 12 Step Program, and did a variety of public speaking on behalf of this organization.

The last several years have been difficult, as the disease of dementia took its toll on her personality as well as her emotional and physical health. The family is grateful to those that could still love Marcia despite the disease. They would like to offer a special heart-filled thank you to Mary Norgren for her loving care and commitment. The family is also grateful to the staff at The Beacon and St. Croix Hospice for their tender care these last few months.

Marcia is survived by her husband of 61 years, Russell of Lake Crystal; children, Trish (Steve) Reedstrom of Mankato, Steven (Janet) Jones of North Mankato, and Melissa (Joe) Wagner of Lake Crystal; grandchildren, Liz Zaruba of Mankato, Megan Reedstrom of Grand Meadow, MN, Daniel (Joshua Zmarzly) Reedstrom of Fargo, ND, Courtney (Matthew) Jacob of Miamisburg, OH, Allyson (Nicole Beer) Jones of Waukee, IA, Brittany (Tonia Tinetti) Wagner of Minneapolis, Zachary Wagner of Chicago, IL, and Kayla (Ganamo Bati) of St. Paul; great-grandchildren, Jacob Zaruba and Samuel Jacob; brother, Jack (Pam) Stordahl of Mankato; sister-in-law, Nedra (Jack) Ward of Janesville, MN; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by parents, John and Myra; son, Michael in 1967; sisters-in-law, Betty Hazelwood, Janet Johnson, Benita Osmundson, and Gweneth Pfeiffer; grandson-in-law, Austin Zaruba; and nephew, Joe Stordahl.