Obituary of Marita “Rita” Johnson

Marita "Rita" (Sundvick) Johnson, age 74, lifelong resident of the Hermantown area, passed away peacefully with her family at her side Monday, August 6, 2018, after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. She was born June 17, 1944 in Duluth to Howard and Mary Sundvick. Rita was a 1962 graduate of Hermantown High School and immediately began working. She was a hard worker all her life. Rita enjoyed summers at the lake with family and friends. She was the family anchor, bringing everyone together for the holidays. Rita was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, James. She is survived by her husband, Donald "Tiger" Johnson; daughters, Annette Goyette and Suzette Goyette; grandchildren, JonPaul Mattson, Joseph Mattson and Athena Anderson; great-grandchildren, Pheonix, Kyrra and Aurora; her brother, Richard (Mardy) Sundvick; sisters, Linda (Bob) Popkes and Patricia Edwards; nephews, Dan (Allison) Sundvick, Tim (Melissa) Smith and Charlie Smith. A thank you to special friends for all their love and support. Memorials are preferred to the American Cancer Society in lieu of flowers. Celebration of life from 10 am until 11 am tomorrow, Wednesday, Aug. 8th at Cremation Society of Minnesota, 4100 Grand Ave., Duluth.