Mary Ann Davis (McDowell), age 97, of Arden Hills, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on Nov. 26, 2025.
Born on Oct. 18, 1928, to Leslie and Ruby McDowell, in Luverne, Minnesota. She graduated from Luverne High School and attended Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota. Mary Ann married her high school sweetheart, Gene Davis, and they enjoyed 76 years of marriage.
She was a devoted mother of Betsy Fisher, Nancy Flatgard, JoAnna Davis, and Jeffrey (Beth Kaup) Davis; proud grandmother of James (Amanda Kessler) Davis, Scott (Rachel) Lindberg, Ross (Carly Heise) Flatgard, and Derek (Amanda Thotland) Davis; delighted great-grandmother of Hannah, Katelyn, Jayden, Alauna, and Adrian.
Mary Ann was a prolific reader, enjoyed baking, was an expert seamstress, and valued traveling the world. She was an active member of Epworth United Methodist Church serving on numerous committees including finance, education and fund raisers. Mary Ann worked as a paraprofessional for many years at Seward Elementary School and South High School.
Her survivors include her family; sisters-in-law Sandra Robison and Beverly Davis; many nieces, nephews and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband Gene; daughter JoAnna; parents; brother Leslie (Carol) McDowell, Jr.; and son-in-law Jerry Flatgard.
Mary Ann will be remembered for her kindness, generosity, volunteerism, and being a chocolate fanatic.
With gratitude and appreciation, the family gives thanks to the medical staff, caregivers, chaplain, therapists, and the entire Johanna Shores Senior Living Community and Optage Hospice for their kindness, compassion, exceptional care and support they provided to Mary Ann and her family.
A Celebration of Life will be at 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 19, at Johanna Shores Senior Living Community 3200 Lake Johanna Blvd, Arden Hills, MN, with visitation at 9:30 a.m. Private interment will take place at Maplewood Cemetery, Luverne, Minnesota.
Memorials preferred to the Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation, donations@alzinfo.org
Arrangements were under the care of National Cremation Society.
