JOHNSON, Mary Delores (MARRONI)

MARRONI, JOHNSON, BUCCELLA, GERDES, EDWARDS, KALLAS, BILYEU, MELBY, MCOLLOUGH, GRAHAM, CAPAZUCCI, NASHEIM

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 3/22/2018 at 23:37:20

Obituary ~ Mary Delores (Marroni) Johnson
June 12, 1920~ December 24, 2000

The Globe Gazette
Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
Thursday, December 28, 2000

MASON CITY -- Mary Delores Johnson, 80, of 1025 N. Polk Ave., died Sunday (Dec. 24, 2000) at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. today at Holy Family Catholic Church, 714 North Adams Ave., with the Rev. Dennis Cahill officiating. Interment will follow in Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation was held on Wednesday at the Fullerton Funeral Home, 123 Second St. S.E., with a scripture service at 6 p.m. Visitation will continue today one hour prior to services at the church.

Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to direct memorials to the Mary Johnson Memorial Fund.

Mary was born on June 12, 1920, the daughter of Antonio and Louise (Buccella) Marroni, in Mason City. She graduated in 1938 from Mason City High School. Following high school, Mary was united in marriage to her first husband, Carroll "Bob" Gerdes. Bob died in 1951. Ten years later, on April 10, 1961, Mary was united in marriage to Ralph 'Red' Johnson in Sioux Falls, S.D.

Her working career included Klipto Printing, Mason City Tent and Awning and Deckers, and being the bookkeeper for her husband's painting business.

Mary was a music enthusiast whether while listening to Big Band or playing the organ. Her music interests didn't stop there. She could also be found dancing at the Surf ballroom.

Her athletic abilities were prevalent even back when she was in school. During her school days at Lincoln Junior High her competitive spirit earned her letters in track and softball. Later in life she could be found enjoying a round of golf, working in her flower garden, baking goodies or just spending time with her grandchildren. Mary enjoyed watching baseball on TV, especially the World Series. In recent years her favorite pastime was playing Yahtzee. She played up until the time she went to the hospice unit.

Mary was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church.

Those thankful for having shared in Mary's life include her husband, Ralph 'Red' Johnson, of Mason City; one daughter, Jean Edwards, of Mason City; four sisters, Marie Kallas, Lucille Bilyeu and Angeline Melby, all of Mason City, and Lorraine McOllough and her husband, Dean, of Clarion; one brother, Gabriel Marroni and his wife, Patricia, of Mason City; two grandchildren, Michael Edwards of Minneapolis, Minn., and Jennifer Edwards of Mason City, and many nieces and nephews. Mary was a very loving and caring person and will be deeply missed by her family and friends.

Mrs. Johnson was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, Carroll "Bob" in 1951; one son in infancy, Ralph Wayne Johnson; four sisters, Jenny Graham, Nancy Capazucci, Ulanda Nasheim, and Rose Marroni in infancy; and one brother, Wuttie Marroni.

Fullerton Funeral Home, (641) 423-8676.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, March of 2018