Mary Jane Winquest
Mary Jane Winquest, 69, of Lakewood, Colorado, and Lincoln, Nebraska, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Friday, July 24, 2026, in Lincoln.
Mary Jane, also known as “MJ,” was born on October 2, 1956, in Holdrege, Nebraska, to Harold Latham Winquest and Phyllis Kraus Winquest. She was preceded in death by her parents; her stepfather, Rodney Roy Johnson; and her stepbrother, Kim R. Johnson.
She is survived by her sisters, Julie (Roger) Sand of Lincoln, Nebraska, and Joyce (Clark) Olsen of Bellevue, Washington; her stepbrother, Ed (Linda) Johnson of St. George, Utah; nieces Heidi Boemper, Heather Spivey, Lindsey Schmidt, Erinn Thompson and nephews Jeremy Sand, Troy Olsen, Chad Olsen, Jeff Olsen, and Matt Johnson; as well as several cousins.
Mary Jane graduated from Holdrege High School in 1975 and earned her degree from the University of Nebraska School of Journalism. Throughout her career, she excelled in marketing, communications, brand management, publications, public relations, and leadership.
Following graduation, she worked at the Waverly Newspaper before moving to Denver, Colorado, in 1981. She joined Adventure Unlimited, where she helped advance the organization’s marketing and communications efforts and remained involved throughout her years in Colorado. Her career also included founding MJ Communications, five years with Trammell Crow Company in Englewood, Colorado, nine years with ARAMARK Education Resources in Golden, Colorado, and several other communications and marketing roles.
After returning to Lincoln to help care for her aging parents, Mary Jane worked for Nebraska Educational Telecommunications (NET) for many years until semi-retirement. Even then, she continued to share her talents by working with a variety of organizations. She also enjoyed volunteering in organizations of special interest.
Since returning to Nebraska, Mary Jane maintained homes in both Lakewood, Colorado, and Lincoln, Nebraska. Her love for Colorado and the mountains continually drew her back for skiing, hiking, outdoor adventures, and treasured time with friends. At the same time, her deep love for Holdrege and Nebraska kept her closely connected to family, lifelong friendships, and her roots.
Mary Jane was a breath of fresh air to everyone who knew her. She was known for her kindness, compassion, adventurous spirit, selflessness, and unwavering willingness to help others. A member of the Christian Science Church, her faith guided her daily life and was evident in the way she treated everyone she met.
She was an avid supporter of the Nebraska Cornhuskers in every sport and also faithfully followed the Kansas City Royals. She cherished her Nebraska heritage as well as her adopted state Colorado. A devoted sister and aunt, she treasured time with her family and the many dear friends who enriched her life. Her beloved dogs—Ben, Josie, and Buddy—brought her immeasurable joy and companionship.
Mary Jane will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing her.
Inurnment and Graveside services
Prairie Home Cemetery, Holdrege, Nebraska
September 17, 2026
Officiant: Pastor Dave Johnson
3:00 pm
Open House in honor of Mary Jane
Venue Restaurant, Cornhusker Room
4107 Pioneer Woods Drive
Suite # 105
Lincoln, Nebraska
Sunday, Sept 20, 2026
2:00 – 5:00 pm
Celebration of Life
Christian Science Church
1401 Stonyhill Road (84th and A)
Lincoln, Nebraska
September 21, 2026
2:00 pm
Memorials to a charity of your choice or to the family for designation at a later date.
To leave a condolence please use the form below.
Funeral Home assisting is Aspen Mortuary, 4822 Cleveland Avenue, Lincoln, NE 68504. To view an on-line obituary or email condolences please visit Aspen Mortuary’s website at www.aspenaftercare.com.
Aspen Cremation Service represents the ideal combination of price and quality. We have low overhead and can pass on the savings. Let us earn your trust.
Accreditations
Condolences for Mary Jane Winquest
Mary Jane was a wonderful person whom I was blessed to know growing up in Holdrege. She had a warm smile and was a true friend to everyone. She will be deeply missed.
M.J. Always had a smile for you and a positive attitude towards everyone she worked with. A great Daughter who was still taking her Mom, in her 90’s at the time, to Cornhusker Football games. May Mary Jane rest in peace!🙏❤️
My heartfelt thoughts go to Mary Jane’s family and her large group of friends. I will remember MJ for her positive outlook and caring of others, both founded by her strong faith. Our decades-long friendship was based on simple adventures: hiking, biking, dog walking, dinners and sharing coffee or beers on our decks – all very meaningful times where we appreciated each others company. I will miss her dearly.
I’m celebrating and honoring MJ’s gentle, happy and consistent spirit of life. Those qualities could never die! I’m thankful for knowing her for many years. Love and blessings to all her family!
Beth Stephens
I am so very sorry for your loss. I always loved Mary Jane—she was so full of life and energy!
My favorite memory with her (and her family) was at my Aunt & Uncle’s (Jean & Chet Magnuson) in San Clemente in the summer of 1969.
We had so much fun!
Prayers ascending for you all!
Mary Jane and I were college friends. Have many memories with MJ. Just recently visited with MJ at a Women’s Husker basketball game. MJ spotted me and came up to visit with me at halftime. Will treasure that visit.
I’m so sorry for your sudden loss of MaryJo. I will keep you in my prayers as you go through the process of saying good bye to your sister.
This news was so shocking. A cousin who was vibrant and active. I would have loved to ski with her. I’ve been to the Mary Jane run in Winter park Colorado. God bless her. It’s just so sad at a young age.
MJ you touched so many people in so many beautiful ways. In my heart you will always remain close and never lost from my memories. I will be sure to ski our favorite runs in your honor every day that I’m on the slopes. I was so blessed to have known you and to have called you friend. I’m so thankful for the many wonderful moments and adventures that we shared together. You were a true friend and I will miss you terribly but I know that you are in your happy place now with God.
Absolutely love MJ – when I think of her, when I saw her not only do I physically smile but I smile inside! She was such a breath of fresh air and joy. She still is somewhere and in my heart. What a beautiful tribute to her and much love to her family!
MJ was like a little sister to me, even though she could also have been a “daughter”. She and her dear mother,Phylis were extra special in my life, and I miss them both! Mary Jane was unique. She was one of a kind, and will be sorely missed in every one of the many places she so ably served with love.
Mary Jane will live on in our hearts and good deeds. She trained me as her replacement at Adventure Unlimited in the Marketing Dept. I will always remember her smile and uplifting spirit. Keeping her in our prayers along with her dear family, and all those blessed to have known her.
Our neighborhood in Colorado was a better place because of MJ. She always shared such joy. We are grateful to have known her and will remember her fondly. Our condolences to her family. – Lori, John and Ella
Thinking of MJ makes me smile; she was everyone’s friend! I loved working with her and I loved seeing her in church. MJ and the sunshine and love she brought with her will be much missed. ❤️
Mary Jane was a beloved sister. She will be greatly missed. Her loving nature, willingness to help others, and constant effort to improve the people and the area around her will be not forgotten. God will bless her soul.
Like so many I was shocked by Mary Jane’s sudden passing. This is a tremendous loss to all who knew and loved her. I remember her as a generous and loving soul and the world is diminished with her passing. Her loyalty, love and care for her family was remarkable. She was a good daughter and sister. I was proud to be her cousin.
MJ was a wonderful coworker, always smiling
She will be missed, God’s blessings ❤️
Anyone would have considered MJ a very special person and friend. She made me smile every time we saw each other because her twinkling eyes and impish grin just had that effect on everyone. We didn’t see each other often but I loved her dearly and felt her sincere interest in how I was and what I had been doing since we last connected. Fond remembrances include a hike up Mt Shavano, part of the collegiate peaks outside of Salida, Colorado with my brother John Andrews and another friend from Salida in 2008. Seeing her when she was in Denver at Sixth Church and sharing our love for our four legged friends, Buddy her most recent adored companion, and Pepper my puppy dog, who she’d come pet in the back of my car. She actually was responsible for getting me into bringing Pepper to church with me being that was a common habit she had with her doggies! We had some nice phone visits when she was in town as well and I had hoped to come see her new kitchen cabinets. I was always amazed at her fearless love of the moguls at Winter Park, a big reason she wanted to keep her house in Lakewood. In late Spring this year, she, Buddy, Juli La Belle, Pepper and I enjoyed a fun walk around the lake at Wash Park and ended the outing at “Steam”on Pearl Street on the deck, dogs at our sides. I will treasure that memory.
My last time seeing sweet MJ again was at my car after church when she told me about her exciting trip to Iceland that would happen in another month. She was so looking forward to it. When I learned of her passing just a day before she was to embark on this dream excursion my heart broke. No one deserved this dream to come true more than MJ. But this lady never would want us to be sad for her. She always saw “ the rainbow” in her life – such an example to all of us! MJ will always have a place in my heart and I know she is even now making the angels smile because she just had that affect 💞
Mary Jane lived behind us in Colorado!! When my husband would go outside on our porch she would always say , “Hi Bob!” He could never see her and would say God is that you? You sound just like Mary Jane and she would laugh and laugh! I miss her so much she loved working on her lawn and feeding the birds, squirrels and rabbits! I can’t believe my neighbor is gone but I still hear her voice and made a bird feeder from a coffee cup and saucer from her kitchen. We both shared our Faith with each other and that connection made us stronger. I know she’s in a better place and spreading her smile everywhere. Please reach out to us if you need anything. Out deepest condolences to all her family and friends!! She will be missed but never forgotten 🙏🏽💔
I have spent over a month trying to pull together my thoughts and reflections about Mary Jane’s passing. I know Mark and I will miss her a lot. Mark saw her often, usually at the gym where she worked out every day. I remember a visit to her home when she showed us her bee houses. She was almost as caring of the bees as she was solicitous of her dogs. She touched so many lives of all kinds with her kindness and cheerful smile.
I know she will be missed by so many. Our condolences to her family and friends, and to future doggies she might have adopted.
Lived MJ like a sister. She was best friends with my sister Jeni Franklin who sadly passed away just the month before MJ so I like to think of them together in heaven making all kinds of mischief while watching over their families still on earth. I love remembering all the trips we took together including Glacier National Park and Beaver Creek. She also visited our home in Park City and in Lincoln City Oregon. I will miss MJ as we soldier on without her. She will be missed.