Mary Jo McGuire

Mary Jo McGuire, age 77, of Dent, MN, passed away peacefully in her sleep on April 10, 2025, at Perham Living.

Mary Jo was born on July 8, 1947, in Devils Lake, ND, to Norman and Audrey (O’Hare) Braaten, the eldest of seven children.

She graduated as valedictorian from Echo High School (MN) in 1965, earning academic honors such as the Betty Crocker Homemaker of Tomorrow and the Bausch and Lomb Honorary Science Award. She worked as a nanny in Wayzata, MN, and as a housekeeper at the historic Pillsbury Mansion.

Mary Jo began her university studies at Moorhead State University. After two years, she taught high school math and German in Plaza, ND. She later completed her degree in German and Mathematics at the University of North Dakota and went on to teach at Maddock High School in Maddock, ND.

In 1970, Mary Jo married Donald McGuire at McGuire Air Force Base. Together, they made homes across the country — living in New Jersey, North Carolina, Arkansas, Idaho, Minnesota, Utah, and North Dakota. Their daughter, Audrey Jo (Jody), was born in Ely, MN, and grew up in Price, UT, and Dickinson, ND. Mary Jo and Don eventually retired to West McDonald Lake in Dent, MN.

Mary Jo was a proud mother and grandmother, a voracious reader, fluent in German, and a true Renaissance learner. She was a trivia whiz and loved languages, the arts and crossword puzzles. Family was the most important part of her life.

She is survived by her husband, Donald McGuire of Dent, MN; daughter Jody McGuire and son-in-law Aaron Amosson; twin granddaughters Mathilda and Greta Amosson, all of Minneapolis, MN; and her siblings: Norman (Sherry) Braaten Jr. of Minot, ND; Dr. Kristine Braaten of Moorhead, MN; Dr. Jane Braaten of Bismarck, ND; Ed (Michelle) Braaten of Houston, TX; and Andy (Ruthie) Braaten of Carrington, ND. She is also survived by her sister-in-law Corinne (Gary) Schattschneider of Perham, MN; nieces Kate, Megan, Elizabeth, Noelle, Brie, and Nikki; nephews Kristian, Ryan, and Cole; great-nieces Kadence and Claretta; and great-nephews Ryan, Andrew, Samuel, Jonah, and Paul.

Mary Jo was preceded in death by her parents; her sister Judith Haas and brother-in-law Duane “Chip” Haas of St. John, ND; paternal grandparents Even and Bertha Braaten of Fillmore, ND; and maternal grandparents Edward “Doc” and Emma O’Hare of Esmond, ND.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 3 at 11:00 a.m., with visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m., at Schoeneberger Funeral Home in Perham, MN. Burial will follow at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Perham Area Special Olympics.