Margaret Elizabeth Johnson

Johnson, Margaret Elizabeth September 7, 1934-July 24, 2019 After a well-lived life of 84 years and with her loving family, dear friend and devoted caregivers by her side, Margaret peacefully passed away on Wednesday, July 24, 2019. She was preceded in death by her parents, Lloyd P. Johnson and Edna M. Schlampp Johnson; her sister, Audrey Johnson Kelley; brother, Lloyd P. Johnson Jr.; and the most loving sister-in-law one could ever have, Rosie Gesner Johnson. She is survived by several nieces, nephews, and the dearest of cousins, their families and long-time friends. Margaret was born in Minneapolis, MN and spent her childhood years growing up on Lake of The Isles. She attended Carlton College in Northfield, MN, and the University of Minnesota where she received her B.S. in Elementary Education ('56). Margaret's 34 year teaching career began in San Diego, CA, alongside her life long friend Marlene Lawson. Family and the beautiful summers of Minnesota brought her back home in 1958 and the opportunity to work at Kenwood Elementary school. Margaret was continually seeking to expand her knowledge. She was awarded a scholarship to study Reading at Syracrus University, NY; attained a Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction with a Reading emphasis, University of Minnesota ('70); taught Remedial Reading, Columbia Heights Elementary School ('70-'80); completed a second degree in Special Education, with an emphasis in Learning Disabilities, College of St. Thomas, MN ('80), which furthered her testing and teaching of reading challenged K-12 students in the Columbia Heights School District, Columbia Heights, MN ('80-'93). Margaret was always delighted to see people become successful because of what she had taught them. She'd say, "I try to meet my students on their own level. Gentle encouragement always works better for me than force." She was truly a gentle soul with a desire to make everyone's life better. An early retirement gave Margaret new opportunities to mix travel, academic consulting and testing, and time to lovingly manage the elder care of her mother, Edna, for 9 years. She was active in Pi Beta Phi, loved traveling abroad, treasured her friends, and designed her home at Normandale Lake Tower with one of her dearest friends, Michael Tomaszewski. Margaret will be remembered as a woman who stood her ground, welcomed intellectual debates and loved teaching children how to capture the joy of literacy. Her final wish is to allow students one last chance to learn from her through the University of Minnesota Body Bequeathing Program. A sincere and heartfelt thanks from the family to the caregivers and nurses at Touching Hearts at Home, Bloomington, Visiting Angels, Wayzata, and Allina Health Hospice, St. Paul, who took care of Margaret so tenderly and brought so much joy to her journey back home. CELEBRATION OF LIFE Visitation: 10:30 am Tues., Aug. 6 Service: 11:30 a.m. Tues., Aug. 6 Washburn-McReavy Edina Funeral Chapel 5000 West 50th Street Edina, MN 55436 952-920-3996 You are invited to join in person or if you are unable to attend, offer a prayer in Margaret's memory. In lieu of flowers or memorials, please share some time with a loved one and know that Margaret is grateful for your gesture.

Tributes

Margaret Elizabeth Johnson

September 7, 1934 - July 24, 2019

Tributes

Margaret Elizabeth Johnson

September 7, 1934 - July 24, 2019

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