Mary May Johnson, 87, of Thief River Falls, MN, formerly of Brainerd, MN, died on Thursday, May 16, 2024, at the Thief River Care Center, Thief River Falls, MN.

Memorial services will be held on Thursday, May 23, 2024, from 5-7 PM with a Service at 6:30 PM at Johnson Funeral Service, Thief River Falls, MN.

Burial will be at Trinity/Vaala Cemetery, Rural Brainerd, MN, at 12 noon Saturday, June 22, 2024.

On May 31, 1936, Mary was born to Frank and Inga (Ring) Erickson at home in New Solum Township, Marshall County, MN. She was baptized at Nazareth Lutheran Church, Newfolden, MN. She went to a country school near her home and graduated from Newfolden High School, Newfolden, MN. Following graduation, Mary moved to the Minneapolis area and worked there for a time.

On December 8, 1956, Mary was united in marriage to David Praska at Holt, MN. Together, they had one daughter, Debra. She worked at Northwestern Hospital, Thief River Falls, as a nurse's aide. David died in 1978. Later, she worked at Northern State Bank, leaving the bank in 1982. On October 2, 1982, Mary married James Johnson in Brainerd, MN. Together, they operated a trucking business as well as a family resort in Brainerd, MN. In about 2000, they sold the resort and retired. During their retirement years, they travelled to Texas, Hawaii, Alaska, Florida, and Las Vegas. Jim died on May 4, 2011, and Mary returned to Thief River Falls in 2013 to be near her family.

Mary enjoyed anything Western—clothing, music, dancing, movies, and more. Mary loved the outdoors. She was a hard worker willing to do almost anything; a kind and gentle person, who had a heart of gold and made everyone feel welcome. Mary loved to be with family, especially spending time with her daughter and granddaughter for weekend getaways.

Mary is survived by her daughter, Deb (Ken) Niemela; step-children: Teresa (Steve) Johnson, Todd Johnson, and Tammy (Scott) Kohl; grand-children: Sara (Chris) Niemela, Kyle Niemela, Bailey (Rob) Winter, Ben (Crystal) Johnson, and William Johnson; great-grandchildren: Lynden, Roczyn, and Dru; brother: Maurice Rodahl, sister-in-law: Franny Rodahl, brother-in-law: Bob (Arlene) Hunter; several cousins, nieces and nephews; and grand dog, Winnie.

She is preceded in death by her husbands, mother and father, mother and father-in-law, great-grandson, Deegan; step-sons: Tom Johnson and Tim Johnson; sister, Helen (Bob) Houman, brother, Orris Rodahl, and sister-in-law, Kathy Hunter; several other loving relatives.

Mary's family would like to thank the staff of the Thief River Care Center and Hospice of the Red River Valley for the kind and loving care she received.