Marian Greenwood

Both the Prayer Service and Funeral Mass will be livestreamed by the church.  You can locate them on the Church YouTube channel prior to each service by following this link: https://www.youtube.com/@st.josephscatholicchurchmo9542

Marian Lucille (Rick) Greenwood was born to Harold and Alice (Neuman) Rick in Breckenridge, MN, on March 24, 1933. She grew up and attended school in Everdell, MN, and was Valedictorian of Breckenridge High School, Class of 1951. She attended Moorhead State University for one year before marrying the love of her life, George Greenwood, of Cushing, OK, on June 25, 1952, in Foxhome, MN. In 1953, they moved to Staples, MN, where George worked on the Northern Pacific Railroad. They lived there 20 years before being transferred to Moorhead, MN, where they've resided ever since.

To her family, she was the cornerstone: she laid the foundation of love and faith, was a guiding light to their path, and always led with unconditional love and quiet grace. She sought peace and harmony, always. There was never a doubt of her love for God first, and her family and friends. She gave everything she had to follow Christ and be Christ for others. She was a true suffering servant. She never missed an opportunity to show love for others. Not many 90-year-olds have their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren calling them and visiting them every day. This connection is a testament to Marian being the glue of the family, keeping everyone together. 

Marian served St. Joseph’s Church in many capacities: she was President of Christian Mothers for 45 years, Co-chair of the Senior Citizen’s committee for 41 years, member of the Charitable Concerns committee for many years, served on the Birthright Board for 34 years, and was instrumental (along with Sr. Rita) in starting a Communion program for shut-ins and nursing homes.  From opening the church every morning to finding liturgical ministers for daily mass, funerals, and Christian Mother’s Honor Guard, there were not many ministries that Marian did not have a hand in. Even in her later years when she had so many physical and medical challenges, her phone ministry was extensive.  She was a champion in calling for volunteers to assemble bulletins, decorate the church at Christmas and Easter, man the Lenten Fish Fry and Bazaar events, run the Senior’s Christmas party, and bring meals to the Dorothy Day House residents. If volunteers were needed, you looked no further than Marian Greenwood to welcome and gather others to serve, and she always did it with joy. The Diocese of Crookston took notice of all of Marian’s ministry for St. Joseph’s Church, and she was awarded the Bishop's Medal in 2010 for her servant heart and her care and love for others. 

Marian also had the gift of music, had a beautiful voice, and had a sharp mind. She sang in the Resurrection Choir since 1978, and she passed on her love of music to her children. Even though Marian's body started to fail, her mind and attention to every detail of her life and her family remained intact…she was as sharp as a tack! If there were stories and memories that family couldn’t remember, they looked no further than mother to recall the information, down to the smallest detail. She passed on the family legacy through her many stories that she shared in her daily life, at many family reunions, and at various get-togethers she organized throughout the years. 

The most important legacy Marian leaves is a heart for Christ and an unconditional love for everyone. She wanted to be a part of the lives of all she knew. Being the humble person that she was, she probably never realized the impact she had on so many lives. Her absence here on earth is a huge loss for family, friends, and the community, and will leave a colossal void that will be difficult to fill. But we take comfort in knowing she will spend eternity with our Father in Heaven.

Marian is survived by her husband George Greenwood; sons Herbert (Nancy) Greenwood, Loveland, CO, Jeffrey (Nicole) Greenwood, Monument, CO; daughters, Sharon (Tom) Adams, Colorado Springs, CO, Joan (Myron) Bowar, Moorhead, MN, Karen (Rob) Thom, Dilworth, MN, Debbie (Jeff) Schaff, Rio Rancho, NM, Teresa (Tim) Erholtz, Moorhead, MN; 22 grandchildren; 38 great-grandchildren; sister, Donna Steer, Ward, AR, and Beverly Rick, Fargo, ND. She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, David Rick and Harold Rick Jr.; sisters, Darlene Hennenfent and Hazel Fleisher; and grandson, Benjamin Schaff.

Marian’s family would like to express their appreciation to the wonderful staff at DaVita who took such amazing care of her over the past seven years of dialysis, and the outstanding care provided to her by the staff at Essentia during multiple hospital visits and in her final hours. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Marian's name may be directed to - Birthright of Fargo-Moorhead, St. Joseph’s Catholic Church or St. Joseph’s Catholic School.

Visitation for Marian will be Thursday, February 15, 2024, from 5 - 6 :30 PM, with a prayer service/wake at 6:30 PM, in St. Joseph Catholic Church, Moorhead.

Her Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday, February 16, 2024, at 11 AM, in the church.