Mary Jane Lundberg's Obituary
Mary Jane (Kuslich) Lundberg entered into life January 15, 1937, in St. Paul, MN, and passed peacefully January 23, 2026, in Fort Wayne, IN. Born the eldest of three children into a loving family, she was raised to speak her mind and pursue education in order to make a contribution to the world-she did both. Graduating magna cum laude from her 1955 class at St. Joseph's Academy in St. Paul, MN, she was offered a full scholarship to study nursing at St. Catherine private college. But her father wanted her to have wider academic and life experiences at the University of Minnesota. She gratefully agreed, and was graduated with a B.S. in Nursing.
At a random dance at the UofM, Mary Jane caught the eye of a young blue-eyed, buzz-cut-bearing Jim Lundberg. A tap on the shoulder to ask for a dance was the spark that lit a 66-year marital commitment. Three daughters and a lot of life followed. During those years Mary Jane stayed home to raise the girls until they went to kindergarten, then she reentered working life as an R.N. in numerous capacities. Mary Jane received her Master's of Science in Nursing from Indiana University. Teaching clinicals to young nurses was one of her most personally rewarding work contributions.
Mary Jane and Jim's lives were enriched by friends and meaningful work they had in Minnesota, Indiana, and Wisconsin before retiring to their beloved Mesa, AZ. Recently, they relocated to Fort Wayne, IN be near the loving care of two daughters, and closer to several grands and great grands.
Before dementia robbed her of herself, Mary Jane was a loving caregiver, pie maker, crafter, daughter, sister, wife, and mother.
Mary Jane is survived by loving husband, Jim; daughters, Dr. Jean (Dr. Brad) Schantz, Cathy (Darryl) Wheaton, and Susan (Randy) Bolinger; grandsons, Dr. Oliver (Caitlin) Schantz, Vincent (Emily) Schantz, Josh Swanson, Nicky Swanson, and Kyle Swanson; sisters-in-law, Andi Cadalbert and Pat Kuslich; five great grandchildren; and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Stephen and Nell Kuslich; brothers, Stephen and John Kuslich; in-laws, Clem and Beatrice Lundberg; sister-in-law, Eve Lundberg; and brother-in-law, Dave Cadalbert.
A sincere thank you to the amazing staff at the Townhouse Health Care Center and Heartland Hospice. Your tender care brought her peace during her last days, and much healing to her family.
A Celebration of Life memorial will be held Thursday, February 5 at 1 pm at the chapel within The Townhouse Retirement Center, 2209 St. Joe Center Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46825.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Joseph's Indian School, PO Box 89, Chamberlain, SD 57325.
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