Mary Jane Archer

We are heartbroken to announce the passing of Mary “Jane” Archer on April 18, 2025. She was born October 27, 1923, to Tony A. and Mary Manthey in Ramona, South Dakota.

Jane came from a musical family called the “Manthey Meadowlarks” with her parents playing musical instruments along with four of her five siblings (youngest was too small to play.) They played two or three times a week while going to school. They entertained at small towns close by and families from near and far, came to dance and enjoy their music.

She graduated from Dakota State University, Madison, South Dakota.

Jane, Paula and Carolyn (sisters) attended air traffic control school and pursued jobs in that field for a few years. The Dean Hudson Orchestra, heard the Sherry Sisters sing, liked what he heard, and signed them as vocalists for his orchestra. They continued touring on the road for several years at popular East Coast night clubs.

Jane met her future husband, Bob Archer, at this time. Jane and Bob moved to Winston Salem NC in 1951 where she worked at McLean Trucking Company for 35 ½ years and retired from the Department of Veterans Affairs after nine years. Jane had many talents and hobbies including: playing bridge, bowling, crossword puzzles, was an excellent typist and excellent dancer winning many jitterbug contests back in the day. She was proud to have donated over 100 pints of blood.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert (Bob) Archer (1996), 2 daughters, Janet L Atwood (2022) Marilyn A Kennedy (2023) both of Clemmons, NC, 2 sisters, Genevieve Tomscha, Madison, SD, Pauline (Paula) Popek, Downers Grove, IL.

Surviving are 2 grandchildren, Tyler Archer Atwood and Lindsey Gray Atwood, 3 great grandchildren, Skylar Atwood, Tobin Atwood and Grayson Lambert, 1 brother, Dr Robert (Bob) A Manthey, Lincoln, NE, 2 sisters, Carolyn Bowers, LaGrange Park, IL, Patricia (Pat) Anawski, Sioux Falls, SD, plus numerous nieces and nephews.

She was a member of the Women of the Moose for over 30 years and The Women’s Traffic Club of Winston Salem.

She was a member of Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church.

A funeral mass will be held at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church on Monday, April 28, 2025 beginning at 11:00am with Father Cory Catron officiating. Burial will follow at Parklawn Memorial Park.

Memorials or masses may be directed to Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church in Winston Salem, NC.