Mary A. (Miller) Johnson, the daughter of Andrew and Lagetta (Neigel) Miller was born on April 3, 1917 at Copperdahl Township, McHenry County, North Dakota.  She died at the age of 96 years on January 19, 2014 at the Trinity Homes of Minot, North Dakota.

Mary was born and raised in the home of her parents on the family farm in rural Towner, North Dakota.  She received her education at the Copperdahl Hill School, south of Towner.  After completing her education, she worked as a nurses’ aide at a Minot Hospital.  On September 28, 1941 she was united in marriage to Leon Johnson at Sheridan, Wyoming.  Leon was in the Armed Forces and during the four and a half years he served, the couple lived in Oklahoma, Wyoming, Washington and California.  The couple returned to the Towner area to raise their family.  A loving wife, mother, grandmother and homemaker, Mary also worked outside the home at the Towner Hotel for a time and later at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Rugby as a nurses’ aide.  Leon died on June 3, 1978.  Following his death, she continued to live in Towner and was a member of the Homemakers Club, St. Cecilia’s Catholic Church and Christian Mothers, VFW Auxiliary where she was president for four years, and senior citizens. She enjoyed playing pinochle, whist, bingo, fancy work and quilting.  Mary has made her home at Trinity Homes since 2004.

Mary is survived by her sons, Leonard (Bonnie) of Granville, Charles (Debbie) of Federal Way, WA, and Alton (Arleen) of Burlington; daughters, Charlene (Larry) Bergstad of Minot, Linda (Byron) Rosencrans of Towner, and Mary Helen (Harlan) Blada of Newburg; 17 grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren; 2 great-great grandchildren; brothers, Peter (Marion) Miller of Towner and Bill Miller of Rugby; sister, Catherine DiMeo of Olympia, WA; sister-in-law, Florence Johnson of Coeur D’Alene, ID; many nieces, nephews; other relatives and friends.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Leon; a son Carlton; brothers, Anton and Alfan Miller; sisters, Angie Kuhnhenn, Monica Hooker, Elizabeth Hanretty, Agnes Klemisch and Sister Annella Miller; and her parents.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 25, 2014 at St. Cecilia’s Catholic Church in Towner with spring burial in the church cemetery, Towner.  Father Michael Schommer, Celebrant. 

Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Friday at the Anderson Funeral Home in Towner and will continue for one hour prior to the time of services at the church on Saturday.

Rosary and Vigil Prayer services will begin at 7:00 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.