- Date Of Birth: November 12, 1926
- Date Of Death: February 25, 2017
- State: Montana
Mabel A. Johnson, 90, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on February 25, 2017 at the Montana Veteran’s Home.
Mabel was born in Sidney, Montana on November 12, 1926 to Marjorie and Lloyd Tewes. She was one of four children.
Upon graduating from high school, Mabel attended business school in Los Angeles, California. Sidney beckoned her back where she worked as a bookkeeper for the Rural Electric Co-op for several years. It was there that she met the love of her life, Leonard; he snatched her right up! They married February 24, 1946. Together they purchased her Dad’s cabin court and gas station where they shared the daily operations and ownership.
“Johnson Family Part One” began with the birth of four children, all within a couple years apart. While raising their children, Mabel continued to maintain the books for their cabin court and gas station.
In 1955, they left the flat plains of Eastern Montana to the majestic mountains and lakes of the Flathead Valley. While Mabel dedicated her life to her growing family, Leonard utilized his higher education in mechanics and auto-body repair working in various dealerships in Kalispell.
In Kalispell, “Johnson Family Part Two” began where four additional children were born, including a set of twins!
While maintaining her busy household, Mabel loved working in her flower beds, crocheting, knitting and needlepoint. Above all, Mabel was a master seamstress. She made all of her daughters’ clothing. One year she custom fit over 50 uniforms for the Flathead High School Drill Team! Her talents in sewing didn’t stop there; she sewed all of her daughters’ beautiful formals, and even created one of her daughter’s wedding dress using four different patterns.
After raising her eight children, Mabel utilized her artistic talents in creating beautiful wreathes for Montana Evergreen. After working a few years, she and Leonard decided to fully retire and enjoy the fruits of all their hard labor.
In the last few years, Mabel and Leonard moved into the Montana Veteran’s Home, making new family and friends. We would like to acknowledge all of the wonderful staff at the Montana Veteran’s Home who provided such loving care and friendship for Mom.
She leaves behind her 8 children and their spouses; Jim (Bethy) Johnson, John Johnson, Mike (Sonya) Johnson, Kathy Harp, Pat (Keila) Johnson, Margie (Steve) Herman, Mark (Suzanne) Johnson and Carol (Bruce) Kelley and her sister Patricia Matina. In addition, she has been blessed with 16 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and many new friends she made at the Montana Veteran’s Home.
She is preceded in death by her husband of 68 years, Leonard Johnson; parents Marjorie and Lloyd Tewes and brothers Thomas Tewes and Stan Tewes.
