Obituary of Mary Josephine Lunbeck
Mary Jo was born on June 9, 1942 in Joplin, Missouri to James Claude Reed and Florinda Gertrude Modlin Reed. She attended elementary school in Joplin, Missouri then the family moved to Topeka, Kansas where she attended and graduated from high school. After high school she met Alfred Reid Foster and they married in July of 1960 in Topeka, Kansas. In 1961 they had their first child Florinda Ann, and then the family moved to California. In 1962 they had their second child Betty Jo and in 1963 they had their third child and only son Alfred Reed Foster II (Bud). This marriage ended in 1972 and in 1974 she met and married the love of her life William H. Lunbeck. They lived in Azusa until Bills job brought them to Oroville in 1983. They both worked for Air Filtration Company until Bill passed away in 1993. Mary Jo raised three of her grandchildren for a few years. She loved to go to Bingo, loved to crochet, make jewelry and collect Elvis memorabilia. Most importantly she loved her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and her family. Mary Jo had a profound faith in Jesus Christ. She was a strong woman who will be deeply missed. Mary Jo went home to be with the Lord on September 30, 2017 in Oroville, California.
Mary Jo is preceded in death by her beloved husband Bill, her parents James Claude and Florinda, her brother David Reed, her granddaughter Tina, her aunt Charlotte, nephew Eric, and two great granddaughters. She leaves behind her three children, Florinda (Ken) Smith, Betty Jo (Bob) Bestwick and Alfred (Carla) Foster all of Oroville, CA; her brothers, James Edward Reed of Wakarusa, KS; Kenneth Claude (Mary) Reed of Littlerock, CA; Harry Dean (Sylvia) Reed of Azusa, CA; her only sister Linda Lou (Marvin) Swift of Bakersfield, CA; her Uncle Wylie Joe Reed of Vancouver, WA; her Aunt Dottie Lou Lewis of Springfield, MO. She also leaves behind five grandchildren, Josephine (Seque) Harrison of Chico, CA; Eileen (Adrian) Sandoval of Palermo, CA; John (Debra) Riley of Oroville, CA; Matthew (Suzetta) Maine of Westminster, CO; and Mary (Keith) Hayes of Oroville, CA; and 10 great grandchildren with number 11 on the way, as well as a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.
A Graveside Service will be held on Thursday, October 5, 2017 at 10:00 AM at Memorial Park Cemetery, 5646 Lincoln Blvd Oroville, CA. A Lunch Reception will follow at Foothill Community Church, 2475 Foothill Blvd Oroville, CA. In lieu flowers please make donations to America Diabetes Association at diabetes.org or your favorite charity. The family would like to thank the staff at Oroville Hospital Post-Acute Care Center for the outstanding and loving care they provided for Mary Jo that last 10 years of her life. Arrangements are entrusted to Oroville Funeral Home 530-533-0323.
