Obituary: Mary Johnston

Funeral Services

Funeral services will take place on Monday, November 27, 2017 at 10:00 AM (Mountain).

Belvidere Community Church
Belvidere, South Dakota

Interment

Belvidere Cemetery
Belvidere, South Dakota

Visitation

5-7 p.m. on Sunday, November 26, at the Rush Funeral Chapel in Kadoka.

Print Obituary

In memory of

Mary Johnston

of Belvidere, South Dakota, died on Thursday, November 23, 2017 at the Hans P. Peterson Memorial Hospital in Philip at the age of 87

Mary Virginia McIalwain was born July 30, 1930, in Estherville, Iowa, the daughter of Claude and Hattie (Gentry) McIalwain. She grew up in Estherville and graduated from Roosevelt High School in Estherville, where she played basketball throughout her high school years. She went to work at various jobs in the Estherville area prior to moving with her parents to Ogilvie, Minnesota, where she continued to work.

After writing letters back and forth for over a year, Mary was united in marriage to Lester M. Johnston on May 5, 1951, in Milaca, Minnesota. They spent their honeymoon in St. Peter, Minnesota, and Lester kept the receipt of their hotel bill in his billfold until the day that he died. One of many signs of true love shared between Mary and Lester.

After their marriage, they worked for Lester’s dad and lived south of Kadoka from 1951 to 1955. In 1955 they purchased the Charlie Owens Ranch north of Belvidere, where they remained throughout their married life. Her husband Lester preceded her in death on September 8, 1997.

Mary continued to reside on the ranch, and was a member of the Belvidere Community Church, serving as an elder and deacon at various times, along with teaching released time for many years. Throughout her life, Mary enjoyed riding horses, working cattle, and helping with combining and hauling grain. She especially enjoyed her grandkids and great-grandkids.

Survivors include two sons Larry Johnston and his wife Jo of Belvidere, and Lonny Johnston and his wife Carrie of Belvidere; nine grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; two brothers Darrel (Edith) McIalwain of Ogilvie, Minnesota, and Troy (Colleen) Nelson of Sandstone, Minnesota; two sisters Lela Kruse of Milaca, Minnesota, and Jenene Barbknetch of Waseca, Minnesota; a brother-in-law Lloyd Johnston and his wife Terri of Kadoka; a sister-in-law Norma Jean Hopkins of Kadoka; and a host of other relatives and friends.

In addition to her husband Lester, Mary was preceded in death by a daughter Cindy Lou Johnston; and a sister Sharon Stigen.

Visitation will be held 5-7 p.m. Sunday, November 26, at the Rush Funeral Chapel in Kadoka.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, November 27, at the Belvidere Community Church in Belvidere, with Pastor Gary McCubbin officiating.

Interment will be at the Belvidere Cemetery.

A memorial has been established to the Kadoka Nursing Home.

Open the Memorial Folder

VISITATION
5-7 p.m.
Sunday, November 26, 2017
Rush Funeral Chapel
Kadoka, South Dakota

FUNERAL SERVICES
Monday, November 27, 2017 - 10:00 a.m.
Belvidere Community Church
Belvidere, South Dakota
CLERGY
Pastor Gary McCubbin
MUSIC
Syd Iwan - Pianist
Del Brost - Guitarist
Helen Paxton - Vocalist
“The Old Rugged Cross”
“How Great Thou Art”
USHERS
John Dolezal - Mike Perault
PALLBEARERS
Brian Blair - Dana Kerns - John Neisner
David Neisner - Josh Little Eagle - Wade Livermont
Joel Leibel - Laramie Johnston - Skye Barber
HONORARY PALLBEARERS
All Relatives and Friends in Attendance
INTERMENT
Belvidere Cemetery
Belvidere, South Dakota

Sign the guestbook

I am sorry for your loss. Mary was a beautiful person inside and out. ~ Stephanie (Sherburne) Ordal Sioux Falls, SD (11/28/2017)
Larry & Lonny, So sorry to hear of Aunt Mary's passing. I will miss her so very much. My thoughts and prayers are you with you and your families. ~ Joyce Thompson Chula Vista,Ca (11/28/2017)
Larry, Lonny and families
So sorry to hear about Mary. She was a very sweet lady that touched may lives with kindness. Thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. ~ Herman and Jewell Bork Okaton, SD (11/27/2017)
Larry, Lonny and families- I was so sorry to hear that Mary had passed. I am glad I got to know her during the time she lived at Silverleaf. She was a good person and had many friends at Silverleaf who still speak fondly of her. The love your family had for her was very evident in the way you watched over her. I will always
remember the special birthday party you put on for her and how much it meant to her that her boys were going to sing for her on her special day. I know you will miss her dearly. I had many good visits with her and I can't help but think how happy she must be now to be reunited with her husband and her beautiful little daughter she has missed all these years. She showed me their pictures and spoke of them often with such love in her eyes. May she Rest In Peace. Know that God is watching over her now keeping her safe
until you see her again. ~ Julie McLaughlin Midland, SD (11/27/2017)
Sorry to hear about Mary. Always enjoyed her smile when we visited at the nursing home. She will be dancing now to her boys music and hugging Lester! Hugs and prayers ~ Pam and Keith Bonenberger Kadoka, SD (11/27/2017)
I'm so sorry to hear of Aunt Mary's passing. I will miss her dearly. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. ~ Patty Morris Romoland, CA (11/27/2017)
Larry and Lonny, My family is saddened to learn your Mother is gone from the earthly home. The reuniting in Heaven is the comfort we cling to. I fondly remember the warm welcome we received from both your parents when Dawn and I visited your home in the early '70s, back when we were all young. Two greenhorns barely able to drive from Mpls to Kadoka, we were welcomed with open arms. Hugs from family are the best! Missing two wonderful souls, may you find comfort knowing what a deep impression your parents made on me. Their grace and dignity shine on through you. Darlene ~ Darlene (Anderson) McCarthy Medina, MD (formerly of Windom, MN) (11/27/2017)
I would call your Mom and check on how much rain we had in
Jackson Co. or how bad the wind blew. She was always very nice and we always had a nice visit. Know you will miss her. She was a nice lady. My sympathy to her family. ~ Judy Daly Midland, SD (11/27/2017)
Dear family,
Praying the Lord Jesus will comfort your sad hearts at this time of great loss. What dear lady! We didn't get visit very often, but did
enjoy times with her when we did. She was so proud of all of you. The world has lost a beautiful lady.
Love and prayers, Jim and Marjorie letellier ~ Jim and Marjorie Letellier Box 42 27161 SD highway 63 (11/25/2017) (11/27/2017)