1931 – Leona Marie Johnson – 2019
Leona Johnson was born March 3, 1931 near Wagner, South Dakota to William and Josephine (Sedlacek) Thaler. She grew up near Florence, Minnesota before they moved to the family farm near Hadley, Minnesota. Leona’s early years were spent helping on the farm, attending country school and working nearby for Charlie and Lava Paige. Leona and Dwight “Gunder” Johnson were married on September 17, 1949, in Pipestone, Minnesota and made their home in Hadley. Following their marriage, Leona worked various jobs in Hadley and Slayton, filling in where needed before settling in at Mettling Hatchery. Due to failing health, Leona became a resident of Our House Hospice Home on June 6, 2019 and passed away there, July 18, 2019, at the age of 88. She was a member of St. Ann’s Catholic Church where she was a member of the CCW, served on the prayer line and donated many years to ‘put up’ corn for the annual bazaar. Leona enjoyed her ever-growing family, gardening, antiquing and refinishing old furniture with Gunder. She also loved traveling with her siblings and in-laws where the occasional casino was visited.
Survivors include her four children and their spouses: Mike and Daryl Johnson, Lake Wilson, MN; Vikki and Dale Mahon, Hadley, MN; Rande and Sholi Johnson, Hadley; and Misse Swanson, Slayton, MN. Twelve grandchildren: Angie (Greg) Schumacher, Mankato, MN; Nathan (Angie) Johnson, Ruthton, MN; Ashley Mahon, Columbus, OH; Chris (Kayla) Johnson, Avoca, MN; Emmie (Brandon) Lolkus, Slayton, MN; Brycen (Ashley) Johnson, Hadley, MN; Mikie (Lacey) Johnson, Lake Wilson, MN; Lyndsey (Nick) Johnson, Slayton, MN; Jamie (Dustin) Kremer, Sioux Falls, SD; Zac Swanson, Currie, MN; Taylor (Dustin) Swanson, Brewster, MN; Brooke (Devin) Ryan, Ruthton, MN; Eighteen great-grandchildren; one sister Maxine Goin, Templeton, CA; one brother-in-law Francis Gustaf, Slayton, MN. She was preceded in death by her parents Bill and Josephine; husband Gunder; three sisters and their husbands: Mildred (Rex) Ella, Bettie (Harold) Klaphake and Wilma Gustaf; four brothers and their wives: Alvin (Charlotte) Thaler, Jerome (Cutz) Thaler, Bernard “Tootie” Thaler and Robert Thaler.
Funeral services were held at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Slayton, MN on Monday, July 22, 2019, with Fr. Thien Nguyen officiating. The pianist was Dana Clarke and song leader was Sheila Crowley. Pallbearers were Leona’s grandsons: Nathan Johnson, Chris Johnson, Brycen Johnson, Mikie Johnson, Zac Swanson, and great-grandson Dylan Johnson. Interment is at St. Ann’s Cemetery, Slayton, MN. The Totzke Funeral Home in Slayton assisted the family with arrangements. Send condolences online at www.totzkefuneralhome.com.
