Lavona Marion Johnson

Lavona Marion Johnson, age 94, completed her earthly journey on Monday, January 27, 2025, at Good Samaritan Society – Comforcare in Austin, MN.

She was born on April 6, 1930, in St. Ann’s Hospital in La Crosse, WI to Oscar and Idella (Freitag) Marzolf of Preston, MN.

She grew up on the farm and attended the same country school her father had years earlier. Lavona was always her father’s helper, including his tractor driver. If he ever left an oil can so she could get it—well everything in sight (including the ground) was oiled until the can was empty.

She attended Preston High School and graduated in the class of 1948. She met Richard L. Johnson and 6 months later they were married on January 14, 1951. The couple then joined Grace Lutheran Church in Austin. They moved to the Twin Cities for two years and she worked for Boos Dental Lab. The couple returned to Austin in 1953. Lavona had various jobs including working for Dr. Earl Behning as a dental assistant for 15 years. Later she studied and became a certified dental assistant and worked for Dr. Dale Mlinar for 16 years.

Lavona and Richard enjoyed traveling, and over the years visited France, Germany, Switzerland, Holland, Alaska four times, Hawaii, Nova Scotia, Labrador, Newfoundland, most of western Canada, and most of the United States. 

She enjoyed reading, especially history, she had spent many years searching for family roots in Alsace, France. She visited the small village where her relatives had come from twice. Lavona spent 10 years gathering genealogy information and had it printed into a book. Her family and all of the cousins enjoyed receiving a copy. She also enjoyed doing counted cross stitch, creating several elaborate angel pictures, collecting angels, and social activities.

She was very active in church activities at Grace Lutheran including, Bible studies, Circle, WELCA, and quilting. She was the first women to serve on the church council including the roles of treasurer and president.

Survivors include her sister-in-law, Linda Marzolf of Preston, MN; five nephews, one niece, and many friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Oscar and Idella Marzolf; husband, Richard in 2007; brother, Waldo in 2011; and sister and brother-in-law, Phyllis and Dell Schaefer. Lavona always said she wanted to sing with the angel choir in Heaven or else play the harp there.

A funeral service for Lavona will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, January 31, 2025, at Grace Lutheran Church in Austin. The visitation will take place from 4:00-6:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 30, at Worlein-Hoff Funeral Home in Austin and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday. Interment will be in Crown Hill Cemetery, Preston, Minnesota. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Grace Lutheran Church, Hormel Institute, Global Health Ministries – 7831 Hickory St. NE., Minneapolis, MN 55432, or recipient of donor’s choice. Services are prearranged and performed by Worlein-Hoff Funeral Homes of Austin.