Phyllis Johnson

Phyllis Johnson, age 91, a resident of Browns Valley, MN, died on July 23, 2019, at her home surrounded by her loving family.

A Memorial Mass will be held on Saturday, July 27, 2019, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Browns Valley.

Visitation will be held on Friday, July 26, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the church with Remembrance and Rosary to follow. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the Mass on Saturday. Father Gregory Frankman will celebrate the Mass and inurnment will take place at St. Anthony’s Cemetery.

Mary Phyllis (Foley) Johnson was born on May 4, 1928, in Morris, MN, to Michael and Ruth (Rasing) Foley. She grew up and attended school in Morris graduating as Valedictorian of the class of 1946. Phyllis went on to graduate from the College of St. Benedict in 1950 with a degree in Music Education.

On December 28, 1955, Phyllis was united in marriage to Gay Otto Johnson in Morris at the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Together, they raised five children. Phyllis taught in many schools finishing in Hastings, MN. She had also taught in Kindred, ND, Chokio, MN, and Browns Valley, MN. Phyllis loved teaching multiple subjects featuring music and including English, Social Studies, and ESL (English as a Second Language).

She was an active member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church including serving on the Parish Council and as director of the choir. Phyllis founded and directed the Browns Valley Community Chorus (which gave her special joy). She was a long-time member of the General Federation of Women’s Club. Phyllis enjoyed reading, playing cards, life-long learning, cheering on her children and grandchildren in their sporting events along with her beloved Minnesota Twins and Lynx. Her favorite activities in Hastings included Beethoven Club, Parish Council, and giving piano lessons. She took great pride in being of service to others in her community and in her church.

Left to cherish her memory are her husband, Gay Johnson of Browns Valley, MN; her children: Tom (Cindy) Johnson of Browns Valley, MN; Jan LeClair of Prior Lake, MN; Jill (Bruce) Spindler of Webster, SD/Browns Valley, MN; Todd (Ellen) Johnson of Browns Valley, MN; and Tim (Elizabeth) Johnson and family of Sioux Falls, SD; grandchildren: Jake (Tessa) Johnson, Katie (Jake) Bauer, Mitch Johnson (friend, Kasey Curtis), Daniel (Erin) LeClair, Carmen LeClair, Thomas (Lana) LeClair, Michael (Courtney) LeClair, Ashley (Travis) Zenk, Blake Spindler, Connor (Bretni) Spindler, and Devin Spindler; great-grandchildren: Lily, Cale, and Lincoln Johnson; Wyatt and Norah Bauer; Cooper and Sterling Zenk; and Collins Spindler; siblings: Karen (Nick) Daly of Chokio, MN; Michael (Jean) Foley of Windom, MN; Ann Foley of Farwell, MN; Roy (RoseAnn) Johnson of Browns Valley, MN; Judy (John) Carlsted of St. Cloud, MN; and Jim Erickson of Chokio, MN; along with many nieces and nephews.

Phyllis is preceded in death by her parents; brothers: John and David Foley; sisters-in-law: Audrey (Johnson) Erickson and Marlys (Kellen) Foley; son-in-law, Kevin LeClair; and nephews: Kevin and Terry Foley.