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Mary Arntsen

MARQUETTE, MI- Mary E. “Jean” Arntsen, 84, of Marquette, passed away unexpectedly but peacefully on Sunday, September 29, 2024 at her home.

Jean was born on September 22, 1940 in Ripley, MS to Edgar P. and Eula M. (Robinson) Davis. She was a 1956 graduate of Centre High School in Ripley where she was a championship basketball player. She attended Northeast Mississippi Junior College in Booneville, MS.

Jean married George R. “Ron” Arntsen on October 31, 1959 in Ripley. She was employed with Bond Clothier in Memphis, TN before the newlyweds relocated to Elizabeth City, NC where they started their family. Before moving to Marquette in 1975, they resided in Huntsville, AL; Calumet & Houghton, MI; Westland, MI; Dumfries, VA and enjoyed many winters snowbirding in Sun Lakes, AZ.

Jean was co-owner of Spectrum Corporation, Midwest Security Systems and the Model Towne Inn in Gwinn. In addition to Jean’s entrepreneurial endeavors, she was deeply committed to community service and volunteerism. She was an active member of the P.E.O. Sisterhood and volunteered for United Service Organizations in Memphis and Marquette General Hospital. She served on the NMU Golden Wildcat Board and was an active member at Messiah Lutheran Church, where she was a Befriender with the Stephen’s Ministry Program.

Jean loved to garden, rocking on her front porch and entertaining friends and family. She was an avid and curious reader and enjoyed being a part of the Dozen Dames Book & Coffee Club in Marquette where she made great, lifelong friends.

Jean is survived by three daughters, Trina (Jim) Young of Minneapolis, MN, Rhonda Arntsen of Savannah, GA and Melany Nelson of Marquette; three grandchildren, Hadley Young, Andrew Young and Lucy Arntsen; siblings, E.C. Davis of South Haven, MS and Linda (Wiley) Stacy of Sulphur Rock, AR; brother and sister-in-law, Gene and Sharon Arntsen of Marquette; several nieces and nephews and many supportive friends.

Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband George “Ron” Arntsen on January 3, 2019, one brother, Robert Davis and grandson, Luke Young.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, November 18, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at Messiah Lutheran Church with Rev. Andrew Plocher officiating. The family will greet relatives and friends beginning at 10:30 a.m. A luncheon will follow at the church in Magnuson Hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Jean’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105

Canale-Tonella Funeral Home and Cremation Services is assisting Jean’s family where memories and condolences may be shared at canalefuneral.com.