Marion “Mickey” Barnd, of Jordan, passed away two days before her 97 birthday, on the Tuesday evening, December 8, 2015, at Oak Terrace Assisted Living in Jordan, MN.
The family will greet guests on Sunday, December 13, from 4-7 pm, at Ballard-Sunder Funeral and Cremation 104 West First Street, Jordan, and one hour prior to the service at church. A Celebration of Life Service will be on Monday, December 14, at 11 am, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church 100 Sixth Street, Jordan. Pastor Jeremy Glowicki will preside. Marion’s urn bearers will be her grandchildren. She will be laid to rest with her husband at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis, MN.
On the family farm in Monticello, Iowa, Marion Mae was born on December 10, 1918, to parents Delbert and Wilhelmina (Peters) McVay. Growing up, she was not afraid of getting dirty and working hard. Marion’s dad soon started calling her Pete , for her Tomboy like characteristic. Marion attended rural grade school and later Monticello High School. It was here, she’d take a horse to school, until Marion got in trouble with it. During the week, she’d stay in town and work for several families, caring for their children, just so Marion could participate in school activities. In 1936, she graduated as the valedictorian of her senior class.
In 1937, Marion took a chance and came to Minnesota with her brother, Harold. She worked for Lutheran Brotherhood, until she married. Marion had an adventurous side, an example being a train ride she took out west which included a mule ride to the bottom of the Grand Canyon. On a blind date in 1940, Marion met Robert Barnd. In July of 1943, she quit her job and joined him, while he was serving in the air corps. On August 2, 1943, Marion and Bob were married in Vernon, Texas. After he was discharged in 1945, they settled their roots in Minneapolis. Marion and Bob were blessed first with two daughters, Shirley, Nancy, and years later two sons, Steve and Craig.
Bob surprised Marion, fondly known as Mickey, one day in 1963, when he announced the purchase of a farm in Jordan, MN. She said “I hope you and your farm will be happy together!”. Unhappy about the adventure at first, she soon accepted the life style. The family spent summers in Jordan, until they permanently moved there in 1973. Here on the farm, Marion was able to have a large vegetable garden and raised animals.
After Bob retired from the fire department in 1985, Mickey and he enjoyed traveling, especially attending the WWII reunions. Several times they took trips in the camper a month at a time. Mickey loved following her grandchildren’s sporting events, school activities and fine art performances. Her kitchen was always open, regardless of who was sitting at the table. There were chocolate chip cookies to be consumed, as Mickey was working on the next feast.
Family was most important to Mickey. With the tragic accident in the shop in July of 1995, her life changed forever with the passing of Bob. Mickey was grateful to be able to continue living on the farm with help from her family. She lived the last two years at Oak Terrace Assisted Living, in Jordan.
Mickey will be remembered in hearts for being honest, nonjudgmental and patient. She had a kind and generous spirit, who would give her shirt off her back to anyone. Left to honor Marion’s life and mourn the death are children, Shirley Ramsay and her son, Bobby Ramsay, Nancy (Rich) Carlson and their children, Patrick (Jill) Exum, Shane Exum, Rich (Tammy) Carlson, Tammy Carlson, Troy Carlson , Steve (Bonnie) Barnd and their children, Josh Barnd and Jessica Barnd, Craig (Aubre) Barnd and their children, Aaron (Megan) Gordon, Manzanita (Andrew) Peterson; 18 great-grandchildren; 3 great great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Betty Lou McVay; other relatives and friends
Marion was welcomed into heaven by husband, Robert; son-in-law, Douglas Ramsay; granddaughter-in-law, Jennifer Carlson; siblings, Harold (Agnes) McVay, Mabel (Ralph Christensen, John Jones) Jones and Luverne McVay.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.
Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home and Cremation, Jordan Chapel, proudly served and cared for the Barnd family. www.ballardsunderfuneral.com
