Mary Ann Johnson

Mary Ann Johnson, loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully on November 24, 2024, in Wyoming, Minnesota, at the age of 83. Born on August 20, 1941 to Thomas and Marjorie Rowan, Mary Ann grew up in St. Paul, Minnesota, where she later met her husband, Ronald Johnson (Ron), at Pearson Candy Company in 1958. 

After meeting and falling in love, it wasn’t long before Mary Ann and Ron married and started a family. They raised two daughters, Kim and Terri, and spent a year fostering a young boy named Shawny Todd whom they loved as their own. Having more biological children wasn’t an option after Mary Ann courageously overcame uterine cancer at the young age of 22, and it was devastating for the whole family when Shawny Todd eventually returned home to his birth mother. 

Mary Ann, Ron, Kim, and Terri spent many wonderful years together as a family, living in St. Paul and Linwood before buying their beloved lake home on Forest Lake. They enjoyed having their kids and grandkids over for pontoon rides and fishing, and there was no shortage of games, crafts, and activities to keep the little ones entertained. 

When Mary Ann was 40 years old, she proudly traveled to Hawaii (all by herself), pierced her ears for the first time, and took several college courses, earning a 4.0 GPA. She was very proud of her college learning, but nothing made her prouder than the family she'd built. 

Anyone who knew Mary Ann knew her family was the most important thing to her. She didn’t travel or spend much on herself, but she loved the opportunity to indulge her children and grandchildren whenever she could. She would have done anything for the people she loved, and her unwavering strength and positivity guided the family through many trials and tribulations. 

Mary Ann selflessly cared for Ron for nearly six months before his early passing in 1996, never complaining or bringing in outside help. She was a natural caregiver, providing Ron with what the family doctor called “the Cadillac of Care.” 

Although Mary Ann was only 55 when Ron passed away, she never remarried. She devoted much of her time to maintaining her lake home and enjoying the company of her family and friends. Mary Ann cherished the time spent with her daughters, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, loving nothing more than welcoming her family into her home for coffee, tea, donuts, laughter, and a day on the lake. She’d welcome each guest with a huge smile and a massive hug (or two!), going out of her way to make everyone feel at home. 

Outside of family time, Mary Ann enjoyed reading books, playing cards, listening to country music, and playing slot machines at Grand Casino Hinckley. She loved a good cup of coffee, driving to McDonald’s most mornings to proudly order her “senior coffee.” Her hair never did turn gray, even at 83, so utilizing her senior discount wasn’t always easy! 

Mary Ann was a very hard worker, still shoveling snow, mowing her lawn, and doing all her own yard work until she turned 80! She rarely asked for help from others and was so proud of the hard work she put into her lake home. 

Right after Mary Ann’s health began to decline, she traveled to Alabama with her daughter and son-in-law to visit her little brother at his winter home. She had traveled to Ireland with her siblings several years prior, and she was adamant about taking one last trip while she still could.

Mary Ann was a true warrior, and there was no one quite like her. She went above and beyond to make the people in her life feel special, and she will forever be missed. 

Mary Ann was preceded in death by her husband, Ronald; parents, Thomas and Marjorie; sister, Toodles; and brothers, Thomas and Joe. 

She is survived by her two daughters, Kim Hedin and Terri Webb (Chris); grandchildren, April O’Hara, Keoni Chaves (Jackie), Alexandra Beane (Joe), Serena Chaves (AJ), Colton Hedin, Sarah Webb (Jon), Marisa Webb, and Emily Webb. Great-grandchildren, Emily O’Hara, Elizabeth O’Hara, Carter Dailey, Autumn Chaves, and Rocky Chaves. Brother, Rich Rowan (Geri), special friend, Kelly Haugen, and many cherished nieces and nephews. 

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, December 4, 2024 at the Church of Saint Peter, 1250 South Shore Drive, Forest Lake, Minnesota. Visitation one hour prior to mass at the church. Interment at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.