Marie L. Johnson , age 73 of Owatonna, died Wednesday, August 17, 2016 at the Owatonna Hospital following a courageous year-long battle with cancer.
Marie was born on August 12, 1943, in Waseca County, Minnesota the daughter of Raymond and Mildred (Severson) Johnson. She grew up on a farm northeast of New Richland, attended District #85 Country School and graduated from New Richland High School, class of 1961. Following her schooling, she worked as a waitress in the local café in New Richland. She then began her career at Jostens in Owatonna from which she retired after 45 years. She was united in marriage to Delbert Johnson on December 11, 1976 at Trinity Lutheran Church in New Richland.
The couple made their home in Owatonna. Marie was a faithful volunteer at the hospital in Owatonna, at Advocates for Developmental Disabilities and at her church, St. John Lutheran, where she taught Sunday School for over 50 years, served communion and faithfully attended and worked at church dinners. She was an excellent baker and was known for her caramel bars, jello cakes, carrot cakes, her Christmas goodies and her orange salad. She also loved hosting the holiday meals for her family and was an avid Minnesota Twins fan.
She is survived by her husband, Delbert Johnson of Owatonna; siblings, Gary (Jackie) Johnson of New Richland and Barbara (Dayton) Draheim of Waseca; children, Kris (Brian) Orlowski of Owatonna, Dawn (John) Nuetzman of Warsaw and Darren (Tammy) Johnson of Faribault; 11 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by parents, Raymond and Mildred; son, Kevin Johnson and granddaughter, Katie Orlowski.
A visitation will be held at the church on Monday, August 22, 2016, from 9:30-11 a.m. The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, August 22, 2016, at St. John Lutheran Church in Owatonna with Pastor Dave Klawiter officiating immediately followed by a luncheon in the church fellowship hall. Interment will be in Vista Lutheran Cemetery near New Richland.