Mary Lou "Grandma Lou" Johnson, of Hallock, MN passed away on November 18, 2023, at the age of 91 at Haven Homes in Maple Plain, MN with family by her side. She was born on March 11, 1932, in Minneapolis to the late George and Fanny Peterson. Mary Lou was a loving wife to her late husband, Donald Johnson.

Mary Lou graduated from Edison High School in 1949 and went on to work at Honeywell in Minneapolis. She later moved to Montana for employment at Glacier National Park where she met Donald. They were married April 4, 1953, in Minneapolis where they made their home and started a family. In 1959 they moved to Hallock to take over the Johnson family farm. She cherished time cooking, baking, and playing games with her children and grandchildren and often helped her husband on the farm. Lou was a devoted follower of Jesus and planted seeds of faith in many lives. She gifted each of her 23 grandchildren a study Bible and used her talents to make afghan blankets and personalized quilts for them as well.

She was a dedicated member of Red River Lutheran Church, where she served on several committees, taught Sunday school and confirmation classes. Lou was also an active member of the WELCA, and she served on the board of directors at both Kittson Memorial Hospital and the Farmers Store of Hallock. While raising her family, she enjoyed being involved in numerous community clubs, including Homemakers and the American Legion Auxiliary.

In 2010, Lou moved to be closer to her daughters as her Alzheimer's disease progressed. She went on many little adventures around the cities in her final years and always loved it when visitors showed up with an ice cream cone for her. She continued to touch many lives with her contagious chuckle and kind-hearted spirit.

Mary Lou will be deeply missed by her loving children: Darrel (Jodi) Johnson, Kathi Turner (Larry) Kendle, Sue (Joe) Francis, and Peter (Polly) Johnson. She will also be remembered fondly by her grandchildren: Jacki, Gregg, & Chris (LuAnn); Breanne, Brandon, & Kendra (Darrel); Jennifer, Justin, Jon & Jordan (Kathi); Nick, Mickenzy, Chuck,
Sam, & Kara (Sue); Brant, Alex, Courtney, Brandi, Erik, Ryan, Daniel & Timothy (Peter). Additionally, she leaves behind a beautiful legacy of 41 great-grandchildren.

Mary Lou was preceded in death by her husband Donald, her daughter and son-in-law LuAnn & Jerry Hennum, and son-in-law Kim Turner.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at Red River Lutheran Church on Friday, November 24th at 10:30 a.m., with visitation beginning at 9:30 a.m. Interment will be in the church cemetery.

Haven Homes provided gentle and loving care to Mary Lou over the past several years, treating her with dignity and grace. In lieu of flowers, please donate memorials to the Haven Homes bus fund www.havenhomesseniorliving.org/donate, or other local organizations.