Joan "Jody" Imogene Magnuson

Forty-five minutes into her 94th birthday, long-time Estes Park resident Joan “Jody” Magnuson passed away peacefully, August 22, 2025, with her two children at her side. Jody had been in declining health for the past year and after suffering a stroke she spent her final week in Poudre Valley Hospital and then Pathways Hospice Center, both in Fort Collins, Colorado.

Jody was born in Humboldt, Kansas on August 22, 1931, to Cecile and Donald Markley. As an only child she spent the formative years of her life in numerous small towns in southeast Kansas where she enjoyed the rural landscapes and bright Kansas sunshine. She was surrounded by grandparents, aunts and uncles and many cousins, each of whom significantly influenced her life with solid values and a love for family that she carried with her always.

In 1947 the family relocated to Estes Park, Colorado where in 1949, Jody graduated from Estes Park High School. It was here she met her beloved Donald “Don” Magnuson, who had also attended Estes Park schools. After high school, Don served overseas during the Korean Conflict while Jody attended Clark’s Business School and Washburn University, Topeka, KS and then Colorado State College in Greeley, CO. After returning to the states from Korea in 1953, Don and Jody were married in front of the stone fireplace in his parents Estes Park home. They moved to Spokane, WA where Jody worked for an attorney and Don completed his tour in the US Air Force. From here, they headed west to the San Fernando Valley, California where Jody worked for another attorney and Don worked in the aerospace industry and attended college. Longing for the mountains, after two years in southern California they moved back to Colorado where Don completed his master's degree at Greeley’s Colorado State College, followed by a long career in teaching. Life in public education took them briefly to Fowler, CO, Rapid City, SD, then Keenesburg, CO where the family lived for six years. It was in Keenesburg and rural southeast Weld County where Jody developed numerous, special friendships that were maintained throughout her life. She said the people here reminded her of southeast Kansas where no one is a stranger and everyone waves. Along the way, between Greeley and Fowler, daughter Dee Ann (1956) and son Mark (1959) were born.

In 1970, the family moved back to Estes Park permanently to be near Don’s ailing parents. Jody found full-time employment in Rocky Mountain National Park, serving in several administrative support positions. She loved her work with the National Park Service and forged many life-long friendships with fellow employees, who to her were “among the finest people on earth.”

Beginning in 1957, Jody and the family lived in Rocky Mountain National Park every summer through 1975, where Don worked as a seasonal park ranger and, according to Jody, she served as the “unofficial and unpaid park cleaning lady” who maintained many ranger stations, backcountry patrol cabins, and park service summer residences. Living at Bear Lake, Wild Basin, Hallowell and Moraine Parks, and occupying backcountry cabins for extended periods was a highlight of her life. Many a story and a few tall tales were born during these years and Jody enjoyed sharing those memories till the end.

During her life, family was the focus of everything. She enjoyed supporting her two kids, actively participating in scouting, 4-H, and many school-related activities and functions. She loved to cook and would often announce, “If anyone leaves this house hungry it’s your own fault.” Friends of Dee and Mark’s still comment on how well fed they were at Jody’s house. There was never a stranger to Jody, only friends she had not yet met. The family would often joke, “she develops new friendships while waiting in line at the grocery store.” Jody was known and will be remembered for both her feisty spunk and her kind, loving heart.

In recent years, Jody was open about her end-of-life horizon and would not hesitate to declare, “I’m ready to go. I have lived a long, full and happy life. I just can’t understand why the Lord has not yet called me.” Jody valued her many friendships and above all, she cherished her family. A life well lived and loved.

Jody was preceded in death by her parents, and husband Don in 2004. She is survived by daughter Dee Ann (Leo) Arellano, Mark Magnuson (partner Dorothy Bensusan); six grandchildren, Erin (Michael) Veile, Aaron (Nicole) Magnuson, Kaley Bell, Logan (Stephanie) Magnuson, Karrie (Todd) Arellano-Lopezi, Jackie (Brandon) Arellano-Williams and fourteen great-grandchildren. As Jody’s many dogs were always important members of her family, she is also survived by numerous family pets.

Memorial contributions may be made to the hospice: Pathways Inpatient Care Center, 317 Carpenter Road, Fort Collins, Colorado 80525

[email protected]

or

Pet Association of Estes Park at https://petassociationestespark.com/donate.

A private family celebration of Jody's life will take place at a later date.