Obituary of Mary “Jean” Johnson

Mary "Jean" (Telega) Johnson, 86, passed away April 26, 2017 in Heritage Haven in Duluth, surrounded by her loving family. Jean was born Feb. 20, 1931 in Duluth to Bill and Martha Telega. She graduated from Cathedral High School and then went to work at Oreck's Department Store in Downtown Duluth. Jean met Roy Johnson, after he returned home from the Korean War, on a blind date and they married on Oct. 22, 1955. Together they celebrated 58 years of marriage. Jean enjoyed being at home raising her four children and worked at UMD in the food service department for 20 years. In her younger years she enjoyed ceramics, knitting, volunteering at church but always had time for shopping, rummage sales, having a cup of coffee or going to lunch at Bridgeman's. She was a longtime member at St. Benedict Catholic Church and St. Lawrence Catholic Church. Jean mostly loved being around her family. She was a wonderful wife, mom, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, sister, and friend. When she was around family and friends, everything was "perfect." She was preceded in death by her husband Roy, her parents, her brother Bill Telega, and her sister Marcella Komulainen. Jean is survived by her sons Mark (Carolyn) Johnson of Sarasota, Fla., Doug (Robin) Johnson of Hermantown, and Bill (Luanne) Johnson of Duluth; her daughter Peggy (Chad) Koele of Glenwood, Md.; her grandchildren Lindsay (Nick), Hannah (Jaryn), Megan, Austin, Hank, Hunter, and Hallie; great-grandchildren Wyatt and Emmett; her sisters-in-law Betty Telega and Barbara Johnson; brother-in-law Bill Johnson; as well as nieces, nephews, cousins and many dear friends. VISITATION: 11 a.m. until the 12 p.m. Memorial Mass Tuesday, May 9 in St. Lawrence Catholic Church. Memorials may be made to Heritage Haven. Arrangements provided by Cremation Society of Minnesota, 624-5200.