Mary Jo Nelson

Mary Jo Nelson was born in Saint Louis Park on May 12, 1943 to Rudolph and Mildred (Bednar) Nelson. Mary Jo had three older siblings: Marlys, Delores, and Penny. Mary Jo quit Minnetonka High School in 1959 to work, she later received her GED in July of 1982. Mary Jo was dating Donald Teschendorf prior to him being drafted to the Vietnam War in 1965. She meets him in Waynesville Missouri and was married by a Justice of the Peace on June 21, 1966. They moved to Glencoe in 1968 and made that their home. They had 3 daughters: Sharon, Lori, and Tammy. Mary Jo and Donald divorced on August 27, 2002. On Saturday, December 11, 2021 the family was advised of the further decline of Mary Jo’s health. While we were surrounding her, Samantha and Tyler took turns reading Bible scriptures and she began to rest and peacefully went Home. 

Mary Jo had several job titles in the following order: carhop, psychiatric unit clerk, nursing assistant, production packer, owner of upholstery business, assembly worker, home daycare provider, chemical dependency aide, door-to-door insurance sales, gas station attendant, wiring technician, canning plant filler operator, blackjack dealer, pit boss, kinship legal guardianship of oldest daughters 4 children, transportation security officer, hearing aid assembler, transportation security officer (again), molding operator, merchandising & stocking associate, helped with the family engraving business, and church volunteer. Given this array of jobs, it is no wonder she was such a versatile person of which everyone says there is only one Mary Jo. There was nothing that she couldn’t do.

Mary Jo had many hobbies and interests which included but not limited to baking, Conway Twitty music (Hello Darlin’), crafts, crocheting, fishing, gardening, playing cards (Hand and Foot with Samantha and Tyler and 500 Rum with Tammy), sewing, shopping (especially thrift store), spending time with family and friends, traveling to Arizona, volunteering at church, watching Fox News (biggest Trump supporter) and woodworking. There was nothing that she wasn’t willing to do or try.  

Mary Jo moved to Monticello in 2001 to be closer to her daughter Tammy and her family. It was living with Tammy in her non-smoking household that gave Mary Jo a push to finally stop smoking after about 40 years. She didn’t like the winter smoking outside too much. This was her overcoming yet another addiction as she had stopped drinking 22 years earlier in 1980. Once she put her mind to stop or do something that is exactly what she did. She never drank and smoked again. Her baking may have increased which everyone around her benefited from.

Mary Jo was always close to her faith. She had a believer’s baptism as an adult. She had attended several different churches to find the right “fit”. She was recommended to attend Riverside Church and found her “fit”. She became a member on March 14, 2010. Her faith strengthened and she increased her giving, volunteering, and hugs (everyone misses her hugs). She volunteered every Friday to print, fold, and stuff bulletins for Sunday service, on Sundays she would greet/hug at the door for 1 to 3 services and would volunteer anytime they needed her. She always said that Riverside was a family and nothing like she has every experienced previously at a church.

Mary Jo is survived by her Daughters, Lori Teschendorf (late life partner Kenny Ruble) of Glencoe and Tammy (Shawn) Ball of Monticello; Grandchildren, Cory Teschendorf, Cassandra Teschendorf, Cody Teschendorf, Conway Teschendorf, Samantha Ball, and Tyler Ball; and two Great-Grandchildren. Pets, Charlie (dog adopted by Tammy & Shawn), LuLu (cat adopted by Samantha), and 5 goldfish (adopted by Tyler); and the Riverside Church family.

She is predeceased by her daughter Sharon Teschendorf; Parents, Mildred (Bednar) Nelson, Rudolph Nelson and Stepmom Doris (Peterson) Nelson; Siblings, Penny Nelson, Marlys Bauer, and Delores Nelson; Pets, Sparky and Blue.

The Peterson-Grimsmo Funeral Chapel in Monticello is handling the arrangements.  Website for online obituary and tribute wall is peterson-grimsmochapel.com
The celebration of life will take place on Monday, December 20, 2021 at Riverside Church located at 20314 County Road 14 NW in Big Lake. The viewing will be from 2:00 – 3:00 with the service following. A lite reception will be held immediately after the service.  If unable to join, the live stream URL is myrc.online.church.

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