Mary Jane Mcneal

Mary Jane McNeal, 89, of Fargo, ND passed away Wednesday, March 5, 2014 at Manor Care, Fargo, ND.

Mary Jane was born January 27, 1925 in Estherville, Iowa, the middle daughter of Roy S. McNeal and Kathryn E. (Howe) McNeal. She grew up in Crosby, ND where she graduated from high school in 1943. In 1947, she received a BS degree in Food and Nutrition from Mundelein College (now part of Loyola University Chicago) and went on to have a long and distinguished career in her field of dietetics. Mary Jane was the director of dietetics at St Luke’s Hospital in Fargo from 1962 until her retirement in 1990. She was a state delegate to the American Dietetic Association from 1971-1974, a past president of the North Dakota Dietetic Association, past president of the Fargo-Moorhead Dietetic Association, and served on the board of directors of the Minn-Dakota Health Systems Agency. She was a member of the North Dakota State Nutrition Council, the Fargo Health Advisory Committee, the American Society of Hospital Food Service Administrators, and Quota International.

On October 30, 1990, Mary Jane was united in marriage to Donald S. Jones at the Newman Center in Fargo. They enjoyed traveling and spending time with family and friends. They spent many years volunteering, as health permitted, and were members of Sons of Norway.

Survivors include her nieces, Karen (Merlin) Thykeson, Dianne (Jay) Heath, Donna (Bill) Buckner, and Renae Paulson; her brother-in-law, Raymond A Paulson; and stepchildren, Donald Jr. (Roxanne) Jones, Glenna (John) Weninger, Doris Jones, and Karla (Robert) Liebeltand; many great nieces and nephews; great great nephews, step-grandchildren and step great granchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Ruth M. Black and Katheryn E. Paulson; and her beloved husband, Donald.

Mary Jane’s joyful laughter, twinkling eyes, bright smile, and warm heart will be forever remembered. She was a steadfast and loving presence in the lives of her family and friends and will be greatly missed.