Mary Lavonne Johnson, 95 of Watertown, passed away Friday, April 3, 2020 at Avantara Watertown.
A private family mass will be held at Holy Name of Jesus Church in Watertown with Father Michael Wensing officiating. Music will be provided by Laura Atwood.
Mary Lavonne Leddy Johnson was born on September 20, 1924 in Watertown, SD.
Mary was a mother of six, Terry, Debbie, Geralyn, Rick, Greg and Dawn; grandmother of 20; great-grandmother of 31; great-great-grandmother of 5; sister-in-law to Dixie Schnoor (Larry); and brother-in-law to Darrell Johnson.
As a feisty redhead, she lived life to the fullest. She had Irish blood flowing in her veins and wasn’t afraid to let people know it. Mary didn’t stay in Watertown too long after she graduated from Watertown High School. She and her sister Marcella packed their bags and went to Washington State to support the war in effort. Yes, Mom and Marcy worked for Boeing as two of the Rosie Riveter Clan. They helped the United States win World War II.
She returned to Watertown and married our father, Donald. Our family began. Dad was a Marine and also did his part to defeat the evil Adolf Hitler.
Dad loved Mom very deeply and couldn’t wait to get home to tie the knot and bring in us baby boomers.
They were married January 14, 1946, at the Immaculate Conception Church in Watertown.
Mary was a great designer, both in the homes dad built and in the clothes she wore, and she always looked amazing. Mary was also the manager of Macy’s fur department at Macy’s in Reno, Nevada. She was also the top sales person.
Mary had made many new friends at Avantara. They all truly loved her and took extremely good care of our mom. They always brought a smile to her face and they loved her very much.
She is preceded in death by her loving husband Donald, her daughter Geralyn, her grandson Donny Stormo, her parents Matilda and Michael, one sister Marcella and her brothers Jerome and Michael.