Mary L Johnson Highmore, South Dakota Obituary

Mary L Johnson

Mary L. Johnson, 83, of Watertown, formerly of Highmore, passed away Wednesday, October 28, 2020 at Ava's House in Sioux Falls with her daughter by her side. A private celebration of life was held at the Church of Christ, Highmore with Pastor Jeffry McKean officiating. Burial followed at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Highmore. Mary was born July 19, 1937 to Dallas and Estella (Kunzman) Dolliver in Hyde County, South Dakota. She grew up around the Blunt/Highmore area. She attended school through 8th grade, but later earned her GED. She married Sylvester Schmidt on June 8, 1960 and they were married for 30 years before he passed away on November 15, 1990. Mary lived and worked most of her life around Highmore, working 35 years as a nurse’s aide in the Highmore and Pierre nursing homes. She loved all the residents she encountered throughout the years and loved telling stories about her days there. Mary was united in marriage to Rodney Johnson on June 13, 1992, in Pierre at the Church of Christ. In December of 2001, Mary and Rod were baptized together at that same church. They were married for 17 years before his death on October 30, 2009. She was a member of the Church of Christ in Highmore where she met many great friends. She loved watching tv, reading, puzzle books and visiting with her friends and neighbors, especially the Hales. Mary always enjoyed spending time with her kids and grandkids, along with her chihuahuas over the years. Minnie, her last chihuahua, always had a special place in her heart. Mary, along with many things, was a survivor throughout her life, staying strong through the death of two sons, two husbands and beating cancer three times. She is survived by her daughter, Diane (Mike) of Watertown, SD; son, Gary (Jackie) of Wichita, KS; grandkids: Logan of Fargo, ND, Alex of Moorhead, MN, Trinity of Watertown, SD; siblings: Delmar of Mitchell, SD, Ruth of Howard City, MI, Ken (Edna) of Sioux Falls, SD, Bill of Pierre, SD, Lois of Malta, MT, Ed (Diana) of Rockford, IL and many nieces and nephews. Mary was preceded in death by her parents: Dallas and Estella; husbands: Sylvester and Rod; sons: Steve and David; infant son, Daniel; siblings: Denzil, Ann, Lyle, Alice, Dolores, Dean, and Phyllis. Memorials may be directed to Church of Christ, 315 Iowa Ave. SE, Highmore, SD, 57345 or Ava’s House, 1320 W. 17th St., Sioux Falls, SD, 57104. Luze Funeral Home of Highmore has been entrusted with Mary's arrangements. <a href="../Content/Media/Luce-LuzeandReckFuneralHome/Service Folder/Folder-H20-26--Mary-Johnson-.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="font-size: 20px;">View Mary's Funeral Program</a>
July 19, 1937 - October 28, 202007/19/193710/28/2020
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Obituary

Mary L. Johnson, 83, of Watertown, formerly of Highmore, passed away Wednesday, October 28, 2020 at Ava's House in Sioux Falls with her daughter by her side. A private celebration of life was held at the Church of Christ, Highmore with Pastor Jeffry McKean officiating. Burial followed at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Highmore. Mary was born July 19, 1937 to Dallas and Estella (Kunzman) Dolliver in Hyde County, South Dakota. She grew up around the Blunt/Highmore area. She attended school through 8th grade, but later earned her GED. She married Sylvester Schmidt on June 8, 1960 and they were married for 30 years before he passed away on November 15, 1990. Mary lived and worked most of her life around Highmore, working 35 years as a nurse’s aide in the Highmore and Pierre nursing homes. She loved all the residents she encountered throughout the years and loved telling stories about her days there. Mary was united in marriage to Rodney Johnson on June 13, 1992, in Pierre at the Church of Christ. In December of 2001, Mary and Rod were baptized together at that same church. They were married for 17 years before his death on October 30, 2009. She was a member of the Church of Christ in Highmore where she met many great friends. She loved watching tv, reading, puzzle books and visiting with her friends and neighbors, especially the Hales. Mary always enjoyed spending time with her kids and grandkids, along with her chihuahuas over the years. Minnie, her last chihuahua, always had a special place in her heart. Mary, along with many things, was a survivor throughout her life, staying strong through the death of two sons, two husbands and beating cancer three times. She is survived by her daughter, Diane (Mike) of Watertown, SD; son, Gary (Jackie) of Wichita, KS; grandkids: Logan of Fargo, ND, Alex of Moorhead, MN, Trinity of Watertown, SD; siblings: Delmar of Mitchell, SD, Ruth of Howard City, MI, Ken (Edna) of Sioux Falls, SD, Bill of Pierre, SD, Lois of Malta, MT, Ed (Diana) of Rockford, IL and many nieces and nephews. Mary was preceded in death by her parents: Dallas and Estella; husbands: Sylvester and Rod; sons: Steve and David; infant son, Daniel; siblings: Denzil, Ann, Lyle, Alice, Dolores, Dean, and Phyllis. Memorials may be directed to Church of Christ, 315 Iowa Ave. SE, Highmore, SD, 57345 or Ava’s House, 1320 W. 17th St., Sioux Falls, SD, 57104. Luze Funeral Home of Highmore has been entrusted with Mary's arrangements. View Mary's Funeral Program

Events

Nov
06
Visitation
Friday, November 06 2020
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Church of Christ
315 Iowa Ave South
Highmore, SD 57345
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Nov
06
Service
Friday, November 06 2020
11:00 AM
Church of Christ
315 Iowa Ave South
Highmore, SD 57345
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Nov
06
Graveside
Friday, November 06 2020
12:00 PM
St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery

LaPlant, SD 
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Final Resting Place
St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery

LaPlant, SD 
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