Shirley Johnson, 84, Owatonna
Shirley Grace Johnson, 84, of Owatonna, died on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026, at her residence.
She was born Dec. 22, 1941, in Owatonna, the daughter of Donald and Pearl (Hutton) McMartin. Shirley was a 1959 graduate of Claremont High School.
Shirley was united in marriage to Larry S. Johnson on Aug. 19, 1961, on her parents’ farm in Claremont. They lived in Claremont until moving to Owatonna in 2001. Shirley was employed as a cook at the school in Claremont for over 25 years.
Shirley was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Claremont and participated in the Ladies’ Aid. In her younger years, she enjoyed traveling, RV camping, snowmobiling, bicycling, and spending winters in Arizona. Shirley also enjoyed gardening, sewing and crafts, and loved playing board and dice games, especially Farkle. Other favorite past times were baking, watching Hallmark movies, puzzling and doing word search. But most of all she loved spending time with her family and making memories together.
Shirley is survived by her three daughters, Renee (Greg) Jonsgaard of Lewiston, Rochelle (Doug) Bendorf of Aitkin, and Roxan (Jerry) Hemann of Aitkin; granddaughters, Nicole (Greg) Lamont, Amber (Jason) Holmvig, and Breanne (Brendon) McConville; grandsons, Nathan Hemann, Eric (Jennifer) Jonsgaard and Hunter (Jennifer) Jonsgaard; great-grandchildren, Addison, Emmet, Carson, Dawson, Hudson, Preston, Elijah, William, Anna, Evan and baby boy McConville who arrives in December. She is also survived by her brother, Donald “Mick” McMartin of Claremont; sisters, Donna (LaVerne) Strand of Austin and Irene Ness of Rochester; sister-in-law, Joyce McMartin of Claremont; along with many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Larry; brothers Dean McMartin and Larry McMartin; sister-in-law, Mona McMartin; and brother-in-law, James Ness.
Memorial Service will be held 11 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026, at First Presbyterian Church in Claremont. Visitation will be two hours prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in Hillside Cemetery in Claremont.
Memorials are preferred to: Presbyterian Women's Outreach in Claremont, Hillside Cemetery in Claremont, or The American Cancer Society Hope Lodge in Rochester.
Arrangements are with Michaelson Funeral Home of Owatonna. Please visit www.michaelsonfuneral.com to leave a condolence for Shirley’s family.