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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Saturday, February 11, 2006

Mary Jane Lundquist of Hardware Hawai'i

 •  Obituaries

Advertiser Staff

Mary Jane Lundquist, former president and co-founder of Hardware Hawai'i and an active community member, died Feb. 4. She was 85.

Lundquist was born July 4, 1920, in Minneapolis. In 1952, she moved to Hawai'i with her husband, R. Dana Lundquist, and two years later they founded Hardware Hawai'i in Kailua.

Through the years, Hardware Hawai'i grew to become a multimillion-dollar business and a leading supplier of lumber in the state. The company also became a key part of the community as the Lundquists contributed money and supplies to causes.

During the war in Cambodia, the Lundquists sponsored several Cambodian refugee families in Hawai'i.

Mary Jane Lundquist served as controller and president of Hardware Hawai'i until 1982, when her son David took over those roles. But she continued as a vice president and director until her death.

In addition to her business activities, Lundquist was an accomplished singer and had many leading roles in operas. She performed with the Honolulu Symphony and at the premiere production in the Kaiser Dome, which was at what is now the Hilton Hawaiian Village.

Lundquist began her singing and dancing career at age 6, when she appeared in live Kiddy revues, which preceded silent movies. She also was in a chorus that backed up Nat King Cole.

In 1997, the Kailua Chamber of Commerce recognized Mary Jane and R. Dana Lundquist by naming them the grand marshals of the Fourth of July Parade. R. Dana Lundquist died in December 1999.

Mary Jane Lundquist is survived by sons, Dana, Barry and David; 15 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and a great-great grandchild.

Visitation will be at 10 a.m. Feb. 22 at Hawaiian Memorial Park; service 11 a.m.