Mary Jo Edwards

Mary Jo Edwards, age 84, of Litchfield, died Thursday, March 13, 2025, at the Sanctuary at St. Cloud. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 20, 2025, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Darwin. The interment of the urn will be held at the St. John’s Catholic Cemetery following the service. A time to gather with the family will be held on Thursday, March 20, 2025, one-hour prior to the service at the St. John’s Catholic Church in Darwin. The Johnson Family Funeral home in Dassel is in charge of the memorial arrangements. In luau of flowers donations are preferred to be given to the Darwin Community Legacy Foundation. Mary Jo Edwards, the daughter of Victor and Rose (Vacek) LaPlante was born on May 16, 1940, in Litchfield, Minnesota. Mary Jo was baptized and confirmed at St. John’s Catholic Church and was a faithful member of St. John’s Catholic Church at the time of her death. She was raised near Litchfield and graduated from Litchfield High School in 1958. Mary Jo continued her education by attending X-Ray Technician School at the Hennepin County General Hospital, graduating in 1960. Her first job was at a Memorial Hospital in Watertown, South Dakota, where she was employed until she was united in marriage. On January 2, 1964, Mary Jo was united in marriage to Weston Francis Edwards and began a journey to Billings, Montana, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Apple Valley, Minnesota and then Moorhead, Minnesota in 1969. In 1997, they moved back to Litchfield where they have since resided. After taking time off to raise her three sons, Mary Jo returned to work at MeritCare Hospital in Fargo, North Dakota. Mary Jo loved animals, especially horses and dogs. She loved to travel with her brother, Dale and her sister-in-law, Helen. In the years between 2000 and 2020, they made several trips to the Black Hills, Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks as well as trips to Iowa and Wisconsin. She loved her family with her whole heart and enjoyed the time they would get together for holidays and family special events. She is survived by her husband, Weston Edwards, three sons, Weston (Mike) Edwards, Jon Edwards, and Joel Edwards, two granddaughters, Tori (Kyle) Heidt, and Mari (Vlad) Gonzalez. She is also survived by her brother, Dale (Helen) LaPlante, sister-in-law, Mary Lou LaPlante, along with numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Rose and Victor LaPlante, siblings, Austin LaPlante, James LaPlante, Harold LaPlante, Margaret Amos and Rita Levinski.

Mary Jo Edwards

May 16, 1940 - March 13, 2025