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Mary O. (Carman) Justus

Posted 2008-04-19 by Pat Wilson
Arizona Republic, Phoenix, Arizona
June 1999

Mary O. JUSTUS died Wednesday night at the Desert Haven Nursing Center in Phoenix, Arizona following a short illness. She was born in Elkton, South Dakota, the tenth and youngest child of Samuel Sheldon and Fannie Sweet (MAXWELL) CARMAN. She spent her childhood and early adult life in Brookings and Moody Counties. Mary graduated from Egan High School in 1934. On September 17, 1938 in Flandreau, South Dakota, she married Ray W. JUSTUS, also of Egan.

After the birth of the first of their five children, they moved to Watertown, South Dakota. In the mid-1950's, a entrepreneur ahead of her times, she established the Economy Shop, a successful consignment clothing business. In March 1962, to get away from the harsh South Dakota winters that were affecting her husband's health, she moved with her family to Phoenix, Arizona. She has lived in the Phoenix area since. She served as housekeeper for the Del Webb Corporation for several years and then for Doctor's Hospital until retiring in 1980. Before entering the Glendale Care Center in 1990, Mary and her husband were patrons at the Westside and Desert West Senior Centers. In December 1994 she moved to Desert Haven.

She is survived by her five children: Sandra J. ACKMAN of Phoenix, Arizona; Dennis J. JUSTUS of Bullhead City, Arizona; Dianna F. QUICK of Covington, Washington; Ray W. JUSTUS of Chandler, Arizona; and Gary L. JUSTUS of Colorado Springs, Colorado; 17 grandchildren and 16 great- grandchildren.

Like her mother and sisters, Mary was a long term sufferer of arthritis.

Please send memorials to the charity of your preference.




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