Leona Johnson

In Loving Memory Of

Leona Marie Johnson

Leona Johnson was born March 3, 1931 near Wagner, SD to William and Josephine (Sedlacek) Thaler. She grew up near Florence, MN before they moved to the family farm near Hadley, MN. 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, MN 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 of Lake Wilson, MN; Vikki and Dale Mahon, Hadley, MN; Rande and Sholi Johnson, Hadley; and Misse Swanson of 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 is 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

St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Slayton, MN on Monday, July 22, 2019 at 10:30 AM with Fr. Thien Nguyen officiating. The pianist is Dana Clarke and song leader is Sheila Crowley. Pallbearers are 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.

Visitation will be Sunday from 4 to 6 PM at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Slayton and one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday. The Totzke Funeral Home in Slayton is assisting the family with arrangements. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Leona Johnson, please visit our floral store.