Mary Jo Malquist
June 7, 1936 – June 17, 2026
It is with deep love and gratitude that we celebrate the life of our beloved mother, friend, sister, Nanny, and Great Nanny, Mary Jo Malquist. She passed away peacefully at the age of 90 on the morning of June 17, 2026, surrounded by her family.
Born on June 7, 1936 in Cozad, NE, to Ruth Chopin and Carroll Carpenter. Mary Jo lived a life defined by kindness, resilience, honesty, a huge loving heart, and an unwavering devotion to her family and friends. She married Donald Malquist in 1956. Together they built a home filled with laughter, warmth, and the aroma of her famous cooking. Her doors were always open to anyone who needed to talk, mend a broken heart, or just to eat a scrumptious meal.
A woman of quiet strength, boundless generosity, and a quick mind, Mary Jo had a gift for making everyone feel seen, valued, and loved. She found joy in life’s simple pleasures. She loved gourmet cooking, baking cookies, searching for new recipes, reading, sharing stories, a lot of talking, shopping for food, attending Red Hat gatherings, family gatherings, and was always cheering on her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren at every milestone. Her wisdom was incredibly gentle, her humor quick, her mind sharp, and her love unconditional.
Mary Jo was a devoted wife and loving mother to her three children, Doug, Karen and Paul. She was the cherished grandmother of four grandchildren Evan and Taylor Schletewitz, and Ben and John Malquist. She was also a loving great-grandmother of two great-grandchildren, Olivia and Keiran Schletewitz.
She is survived by her two children, Doug Malquist (Bridget) and Karen Miller (Scott); brothers Richard Shuler (Andrea) and Charles Shuler (Sharon); nieces and nephews Jason Shuler (Rebecca), Sara Shuler (Casey), Kristy Shuler, Tammy Shuler (Greg); grandchildren Evan Schletewitz (Alicia), Ben Malquist, and John Malquist; great-grandchildren, Olivia and Keiran Schletewitz; step-grandchildren and step-great grandchildren, Triston and Christopher Miller (Brianna) and baby Christopher; great-nieces and nephews, Bella, Charlie, Logan and Aiden; as well as countless friends and neighbors whose lives she touched.
She is preceded in death by her parents Ruth Chopin and Carroll Carpenter; husband Donald Malquist; son Paul Malquist; and granddaughter Taylor Schletewitz.
Though our hearts are heavy, we take comfort in knowing her legacy of love, compassion, countless memories, and grace will live in all of us forever. Mary Jo’s legacy is one of unwavering love, kindness, and strength. A legacy that continued to her final breath.
We will forever miss our loving mother, sister, friend, Nanny and Great-Nanny. Her life was a blessing, her memory was a treasure. She was loved beyond words and will be missed beyond measure.
A private family and friends celebration of her life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The Red Hats Society www.redhatsociety.com/donate. She attended the Red Hats in Birch Bay Village and they gave her much love and joy. They were her “Red Hatter Sisters.”
