(Agnes) Maria Johnson Winters, 94, of Mankato, MN formerly of Bingham Lake and Minneapolis, passed on June 23, 2021. Maria is survived by her loving family: Daughter Sharon Flatgard (Adrian) of Newport, RI, and sons Kenneth Jr. (Lori) of Worthington and Bingham Lake, Gregory (Denise) of Windom, and Philip (Lucy) of Long Lake; and grandchildren Eric Winters (Sarah), Allison Posner (Asa), Ben Flatgard (Leslie) and great grandchildren Aubrey, Kendrick and Oliver Winters and Von Flatgard. Maria is also survived by her sister Lyn Johnson of Los Gatos, CA. and her brother-in-law James Winters (Suzanne) of Indianapolis, IN. as well as many nieces, nephews and friends. Maria was predeceased by her husband Kenneth (2007) and six of her siblings as well as several of her nieces and nephews. Born on November 21, 1926, Maria was the daughter of Lydia Anna and Gustaf Sigfrid Johnson, a Swedish immigrant, and was the fifth of eight children. Maria attended the Pleasant View School in Foreston and graduated from Milaca High School in 1945. She attended Trinity Bible Institute and later Mankato State University. Maria married Kenneth Winters in a double wedding ceremony with her sister Gladys Lindstrom (Allyn) on September 11, 1948. After their marriage, Kenneth and Maria moved to a farm in Lakeside Township, Cottonwood County. When her children had grown, Maria worked first as a secretary, and then for several decades in civil service and retired from her full-time position with the USPS shortly before her 80th birthday. Her infectious smile and greeting of “hey, hey, hey” to her friends and family was well known. Maria had a wonderful soprano voice having spent years singing in both a sextet and choir and would frequently sing a few bars of an old tune for those around her. Maria loved to sing hymns and was a baptized member of the First Baptist Church, Milaca. Maria enjoyed cooking and eating well. With her late husband Kenneth, Maria went on many road trips throughout the US and Canada and her children could always expect some culinary delight be sent from one of their stops. She long treasured a family vacation with her late husband and children to Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, Brazil, from which she often replicated Brazilian cuisine they experienced and enjoyed on that trip. Maria looked forward to reading the daily newspaper and rarely missed the evening news. She became a great fan of Zoom during the pandemic and never missed the weekly calls with her family; she always brought current events into the conversation. She was a proud member of the DFL party and active in local politics as a volunteer for both the Humphrey and Mondale campaigns. Maria and her husband were invited to the Inaugurations of Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton. She considered her vote both a right and a privilege and was proud to have voted in all elections. During the past decade, Maria has lived in Mankato and the family is grateful to Pathstone Assisted Living for their care shown of Maria. They are thankful also to her former physician from Mayo East Ridge Clinic, Dr. Narvaez-Jacobs, for her outstanding care of their mother/grandmother/great-grandmother. For those who wish, donations may be made in Maria’s memory to Pathstone Assisted Living, St. Croix Hospice or the American Swedish Institute.