Mary Jane Knowlton, 83, of Rochester, Minn., formerly of Austin, Minn., died Saturday, June 1, 2013, at Golden Living West nursing facility. Per Mary Jane’s wishes, her body has been donated to Mayo Foundation.

Mary Jane, the daughter of Lyle and Rose Knowlton, was born in Lanesboro, on March 14, 1930. She was married on Sept. 10, 1949, and later divorced. She was employed in an attorney’s offices in Biloxi, Miss., and Austin, and retired as an employee of the District Court Olmsted County at the court house in Rochester.

She developed a love of books when she worked at the Austin Public Library during her high school years. An avid volunteer, she served on the Library board and the YWCA board (now the Hormel House) in Austin. She was a member of the United Methodist Church while living in Fremont, Neb., and served as an altar flower chairman. She was also a Red Cross volunteer at the hospital in Fremont. She loved reading, playing bridge, doing crossword puzzles and watching her grandchildren and great-grandchildren grow up.

She is survived by her four children, Cynthia (John) Myers of Dodge Center, James (Cecilia) Flannery of Salinas, Ecuador, Peggy (Bill) Swanson of Rochester, and Jon (Nancy) Flannery of Fairbanks, Alaska; six grandchildren, Eric Myers of Dodge Center, Brad (Amy) Swanson of Rochester, Erin Myers of Winona, Minn., Carrie (Brendyn) Pagel of Rochester, Morgan Flannery of Oakland, Calif., and Sean Flannery of Fairbanks, Alaska; seven great-grandchildren; her sister, Marge Anderson of Austin; brother, Dick (Nancy) Knowlton of Vail, Colo.; sister, Carol Warfield, Hudson, Ohio; brothers, Bob (Joan) Knowlton of Scottsdale, Ariz., and Gary (Mary) Knowlton of Punta Gorda, Fla.; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by a sister, her parents and a brother-in-law.

A private celebration of her life will be held at a later date.