Mary Ann Johnson

Mary Ann Johnson, 79, of Sunburg, died unexpectedly Wednesday, January 6th, at her home. Public visitation will be from 2-5 pm, Sunday, January 10th, at Harvey Anderson Funeral Home in Willmar. Her private service will be on Monday, January 11th, at Salem Covenant Church in rural Pennock. Masks are required.  Burial will be in the church cemetery. Her service will be available on the funeral home’s website (www.hafh.org) following her service. 

Mary Ann (Ling) Johnson was born September 29, 1941, in Kerkhoven, to Howard and Stella (Eliason) Ling. Mary was baptized and later confirmed at Salem Covenant Church in rural Pennock. She grew up in rural Pennock where she attended country school before graduating from Kerkhoven High School. On March 14, 1959, Mary was united in marriage to Harry Johnson at Salem Covenant Church. To this union six children were born. Twelve grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren were later added, and she was utterly devoted to them all. Mary worked hard and loved her role as a homemaker and farmer’s wife.  Mary was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 1999 and has been a cancer survivor for over 20 years.  Because of this, she was involved with Kandiyohi Relay for Life. She was greatly saddened when their daughter, Dori, died of ovarian cancer in 2014.

She was active at Salem Covenant Church where she volunteered as a Deaconess, Sunday School teacher, Covenant Women Chairperson, and church sewing circle member, all multiple times. She was an avid reader, serving as the church librarian for 25 years (involving her grandchildren as co-librarians), and read all the books before she put them on the library shelves. She also served on the Evangelical Covenant Women Church District Board. In the community, she was active in the Christian Women Organization, Kandiyohi County Fair, and Mamre Home Extension, making friends wherever she went. Mary enjoyed crossword puzzles, jigsaw puzzles, Super Quizzes, and playing games with her family. She treasured the time spent nightly on her devotions and Bible reading.  She loved spending time with her family, extended family, and friends, often going thrift store shopping with them, on fishing trips or having them over to her home. Mary was a great cook and baker, often making her famous chocolate chip “Waig” bars, lefse, and Swedish potato sausage. Her home was an open door to many and was always filled with laughter. She loved to decorate for the different seasons throughout her home. Each room, including the renovated haybarn, was a children’s “wonderland”.  She was a loving wife, mom, grandma, and great-grandma. Her walk with Jesus was visible to all who knew her, and now she is with her Lord. Granny Mert will be missed by many.

Mary is survived by her loving husband, Harry Johnson, of Sunburg; children: Scott Johnson, Craig (Renee) Johnson, Blake Johnson, Troy Johnson, all of Sunburg, and Todd (Erica) Johnson of Murdock; grandchildren: Erin (Elliot) Ballance, Allison (Jake) Stricherz, Amber (Owen) Lu, Tyson (Joyce) Tofte, Taya (Jon) Broberg, Whitney Tofte, Zach Johnson, Samantha (Brant) Beckman, Lloghyn (Jake) Gassaway, and Haylee, Ely, and Noah Johnson; great-grandchildren: Carson, Gavin, Emmett, Colby, Leo, Maclynn, Lena, Poppy, and Kitson. She is also survived by her siblings: Katie (Ardell) Johnson of Kerkhoven, Donna Ling of St. Anthony, and sister-in-law, Peggy Ling of Belton, TX.

She was preceded in death by her daughter, Dori Tofte; parents; brother, Steve Ling; and sister and brother-in-law, Dee and Joe Nett.

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