Mari Beth (Jackson) Coen

Mari Beth Coen (f/k/a Mary Beth Jackson) died peacefully on December 5, 2024, at the age of 86, in Denver, Colorado. She was born on December 12, 1937, in Fargo, North Dakota, to parents Martha Jeanne Emmons and Harold Arthur Jackson, both lifetime Fargo residents.

Mari and her two sisters were raised in Fargo, and she graduated from Fargo Central High School in 1956. On a road trip with her then 3-yr old son in 1961, her car broke down in Arizona, so she got a job and soon met, then married, William “Bill” Coen. Mari and Bill moved their family several times, including to California, Colorado, Washington, and Minnesota, always gravitating back to Colorado and eventually settling in Loveland in 1978.

Mari worked for 17 years in the medical industry as Business Manager with both Loveland Radiology and later Ft. Collins Radiologic. She was a member of the Radiology Business Managers Association for many years. After hanging up her Business Manager hat, she bought her dream house in Estes Park and opened a bed and breakfast. Later she worked with Rocky Mountain National Park as a seasonal Ranger in the Interpretive Department and as a field volunteer. When the distance between Estes and her grandchildren became too much, she sold her Estes house and moved back to Loveland.

She was an avid reader, gardener, and artist in several mediums including her favorites: sculpture, painting, and photography. She was known affectionately as “Punch” to family and friends, and as “Gram” to her grandchildren. Mari lived her life focused on family, art, nature, animal companions, and a glass half full. She left this earth hoping her children and grandchildren would be okay in this mixed-up world. While our hearts mourn the loss, we take comfort in knowing she is no longer suffering.

She was preceded in death by her beloved grandparents Herb and Caroline Emmons; her parents; her sisters Judy Corder and Susan Anderson; her brother-in-law Donald Corder; her cousins Paul Thomasson and Carol Mae Anderson; and her nephews Eric Anderson, Barry Corder, and Paul Corder.

She is survived by her three beloved children Marc Coen, Lisa Coen, and Kelli Bailey; five grandchildren Caleb, Brianna, Samantha, Jesse, and Max; and six great-grandchildren Marigold, Weston, Lily, Anthony (“AJ”), Nico, and Jillian. Mari is also survived by members of her extended family, whom she loved, including her cousin Gary Thomasson; her brother-in-law Bruce Anderson; nephews Jeff, Corey (Erika), and Shawn; her grandchildren’s spouses Lauren, Matt, and Joanna; former sons-in-law Devon and John; and friends Trish and Virginia.

A special thank you to Elevation Hospice and Hallmark Nursing Center, especially the nurses and CNAs for their unwavering care of Mari in her final months.

A memorial service will be held at Evergreen Christian Church, 27772 Iris Drive, Evergreen, Colorado on Friday, December 20th, 2024, at 12:00 pm with a luncheon following. In lieu of flowers, consider donating to an animal shelter in Mari’s name; planting a flower or a tree; or leaving some peanuts outside for a squirrel. Smile at a stranger, hug your family, be grateful for another day.