JOHNSON, Mary Jane (Palmer) 1918-2011

JOHNSON, PALMER, ANONSON, HUSTAD

Posted By: Diane M Scott (email)
Date: 5/6/2012 at 14:16:59

Johnson, Mary Jane (Palmer) age 93, (Feb. 1, 1918 to Sept. 14, 2011) of Seattle, WA and formerly of Minneapolis, MN.

Preceded in death by her parents, George C. Palmer and Bernadine "Dean" Palmer; her husband, Oscar Edward Johnson; daughter, Susan Dean Jones, all of Minneapolis; cousin, Margery Anonson of Riceville, IA; and granddaughter, Mary Hustad of Edmonds, WA.

Survived by her sons, Paul Edward Johnson and his wife Tracey of Minneapolis; Larry George Johnson and his wife Glenna of Newcastle, WA; and Eric Palmer Johnson whose whereabouts have been unknown since 1972; her daughter, Sylvia Mary Hustad and her husband John of Edmonds, WA. Also survived by six grandchildren, Jennifer O'Donnell, James "Jim" Hustad, William "Bill" Hustad, Hillery Nye, Sarah George, and Jesse Johnson. Also survived by 11 great-grandchildren.

Following graduation from Washburn High School in Minneapolis (1936), Mary Jane graduated from Miss Woods School in Minneapolis, MN and went on to serve as a kindergarten and first grade teacher in Cody, WY, Goodhue, MN, and as a special education teacher for deaf students in Minneapolis, MN.

Mary Jane created and operated five children's day care centers over five decades, including the first day care center at Plymouth Congregational Church in Minneapolis where she also sang in the church choir during the 1950's. Along with her husband Oscar "Ed" Johnson, served Cub Scout Troop 73 and Boy Scout Troop 73 in Minneapolis. During the 1980's Mary Jane became a volunteer for the National Humane Society, working in elementary classrooms in the state of Washington to educate children in the proper care of their pets. While residing in the Four Freedoms in Seattle, WA, during the 1980's, Mary Jane obtained funding for a large-screen TV plus VHS tapes and conducted a weekly "Movie Night" for the residents.

During the more than eleven years Mary Jane resided at Foss Home in Edmonds, WA, she received excellent care from the Foss Home staff, inspired by her positive disposition and her creative contributions to her companions, especially when she encouraged them to dance. Mary Jane's dedication to the care, well-being and development of children serves as a continuing inspiration to her family and countless others as a model for parenting, community involvement and the growth of positive self-esteem within all who had the good fortune to know her.

Mary Jane will be buried next to her beloved mother, Bernadine Palmer, in Riverside Cemetery in Riceville, IA, where her father and his ancestors are also at rest.

Minneapolis Star Tribune, September 29, 2011