Mardel Jonson

Mardel Hazel Jonson was born Sept. 23, 1938, in Little Fork, Minn., the youngest of four children.
She enjoyed her early years on the family farm, spending time with her parents, both sets of grandparents and her three older siblings. It was there that she learned the many Swedish traditions and talents of which she was so proud. Mardel was fond of all of the animals her family raised, especially the barn cats.  She attended school in Little Fork, graduating in the Class of 1955.
Mardel was united in marriage to Carl Cox Sept. 14, 1956. They lived in Minneapolis, Minn., before making their home on the Minnesota Iron Range.   Mardel and Carl were blessed with three children—JoDei, Douglas and Morris.
She was a homemaker for many years, and this marriage was later dissolved.  In the early 1980s, Mardel became a nationally-certified activity director and loved working with patients at the Eveleth Fitzgerald Hospital. She was later employed at the Chicagami Children’s Center, where she adored the students she served.
In 1993 Mardel moved to Windom, Minn., treasuring the opportunity to spend more time with Douglas and his family. She had so much fun with her coworkers and the residents at Harmony House, retiring from the workforce in 2003.
In 2017, Mardel moved to Custer, S.D., where she could be closer to Douglas and Barbara. She lived independently in her own apartment until 2022, when she became a resident of Monument Health Assisted Living, where she loved participating in many activities (primarily Bingo) and received excellent care.  In May 2024, due to declining health, she transferred to Custer Care and Rehab Center, with staff compassionately providing end-of-life services.
Accepting Christ as a young child, Mardel was a devout non-denominational Christian and loved to share her faith with everyone she met. She cherished many trips to northern Minnesota, where she visited with Morris, JoDei, her siblings and their spouses, nieces and nephews.
Mardel was a talented seamstress and loved to crochet, needlepoint and create numerous crafts.  She played the piano beautifully and blessed others with the gift of hearing her favorite hymn, “The Old Rugged Cross.” She loved shopping in downtown Eveleth, Windom, Custer and at dollar stores.
Her pride and joy were her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and delighted in spending holidays with them and having daily visits with Douglas. Mardel delighted in all of God’s creatures, particularly cats, spending endless hours reading and watching movies about them.
Mardel, daughter of the late Signar and Mabel (Johnson) Jonson, passed away Sunday, July 14, 2024, at Custer Care and Rehab Center, surrounded by her family, following a courageous battle with cancer. She was 85.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents Jonson and Johnson; parents, Signar and Mabel Jonson; siblings, Maurice Jonson, Jimmy Jonson and Joan Frick; brother in-law,  Don Frick;  sister in-law,  Myrna Jonson; son, Morris Cox; nephew, Larry Frick; her beloved cats, Patches, Tosha and Wally; as well as many friends and relatives.
Mardel will be deeply missed by her children, Douglas (Barbara) Cox of Hermosa, S.D., and JoDei Marcella of Duluth; six grandchildren and their spouses; 13 great-grandchildren; sister in-law Pat Jonson; and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
A Celebration of Life service will be held in northern Minnesota at a later date.
Memorials in Mardel’s memory would be preferred to the charity of the donor’s choice.
Blessed be the memory of Mardel Hazel Jonson.