MARY ELLEN JOHNSON

MARY ELLEN JOHNSON Mary Ellen Johnson, 90, Finley, died October 20, 2013, at Sanford Health in Mayville. Mary was born October 9, 1923, in Mount Vernon, S. D., to John and Agnes (May) Lange. She attended all 12 years of school in Mount Vernon and graduated from high school in 1941. She entered nurses' training at St. Joseph's School of Nursing in Aberdeen, S. D. In 1944, she enlisted in the Army WAC program and was sent to Fitzsimons Army Hospital in Denver, CO., to complete her training. While there, she met Arnold H. Johnson, a wounded soldier, who was sent to Fitzsimons to recover. They were married March 14, 1945, in CO., and moved to N. D. to a farm near Sharon. Mary worked at the hospitals in Sharon and Cooperstown. Mary was active in her churches, Hoff Lutheran at rural Sharon; followed by Trinity Lutheran in Sharon. She was a 68 year member of the American Legion Auxiliary in Sharon. Mary and Arnold moved to Finley in 1979. They wintered in Mesa, AZ., until 2006. She was an active member of the Finley Lutheran Church. She was an avid card player. Mary is survived by: husband of 68 years, Arnold; daughters, Joan (Ken) Slingsby, Welch, MN., Rita (Arlen) Sundahl, Minot, N. D.; grandsons, Justin Slingsby (Emily Sheehan) of Minneapolis, Karl Slingsby (Katie) of Minneapolis; and great-grandchildren, Miles Slingsby and Nina Slingsby. Mary was preceded in death by her parents; infant sister, Mary Agnes Lange; and her sister, Felecia Strong. A memorial service will be held at Finley Lutheran Church on November 2nd at 1:00. Interment will be at the Veterans' Cemetery at Mandan, N. D. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Red River Hospice or Finley Lutheran Church.