Mary Grace Johnson

Mary Grace Johnson, 89, of Great Falls, passed away Friday, November 3, 2017. A private family service will be held at a later date. Mary Grace was born September 6, 1928 in Great Falls, MT to Obert and Grace (Smith) Lee. She graduated high school in Fairfield and went on to attend the University of Montana. Mary Grace met Elmer L. Johnson at a dance in Fort Shaw the summer of 1947 and they were quickly married on October 5, 1947. The newlyweds lived in Minneapolis, MN for a year and then relocated to Great Falls, MT, where they started their family. Mary Grace had many hobbies which included playing cards, bowling on city leagues, following her artistic tendencies creating art such as water colors, acrylics, stained glass and photography. She could often be found surrounded by family at their cabin on the Smith River. Many cherished memories were made there, including fishing, hiking, card playing, and floating the river; times that will never be forgotten. Mary Grace and Elmer sold the cabin to allow for their snowbird lifestyle in Mesa, AZ. They spent many years traveling back and forth from Montana and Arizona to enjoy the sunny weather. In 2000, they built their “forever home” in Great Falls and their snowbird lifestyle came to a close. Family was an important aspect of Mary Grace’s life. She cherished her loved ones to the end. Mary Grace is survived by her daughters, Terri Kessler and Carolyn (Larry) Renman; grandchildren Ryan Little of Wyoming, Tarra (Cole) Eckenstein, Amber (Ron) Cooper, Nik Kessler all of Great Falls; great-grandchildren Ronald Jr. and Jayda Cooper, Abbi Little and Silas Eckenstein; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded by her parents; husband Elmer; son James Johnson; sister Dorothy Benson; and son-in-law James Kessler. Memorials in Mary Grace’s name may be made to the donor’s choice.