Doris Marie Johnson

Doris Marie Heyda was born February 23, 1929 to John Jr. and Mary (Pangerl) Heyda.  She attended grade school at the Washington School on the St. Croix Road and graduated from Pine City High School in 1946.  She worked at the court house in Pine City for O.R. Dickson briefly before her engagement and marriage to Allan Johnson July 15, 1947.  Three children were born to this union; Mary Ellen in 1950, Dick in 1956 and Ruth Ann in 1959.

Doris was an excellent cook and baker.  She also excelled at cleaning.  We often joked that Mom's house was one of the cleanest and we could probably eat off the floor!  Fall and Spring cleaning was a really big deal to her and the satisfaction of everything being neat and clean made her so happy. 

In 1974, 1979 and 1981, Doris's family increased when her two daughters and her son married.  It wasn't long before 8 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren came along.  She was especially excited when her last great-granddaughter was named after her; Madyson Doris.  She was the best caregiver and gave her grandchildren so much TLC.  The kids always knew they would get cookies and special treats at Grandma's house and also dumplings and sauerkraut.  She helped all of us out many times either cleaning or babysitting and always brought us "care packages" of homemade goodies.

In June of 2014, Allan passed and Doris missed him so much after 67 years of marriage.  She was Allen's caregiver.  We could help out at times but nobody could do things like Doris!

In February of 2015, Doris suffered a severe stroke and never regained the use of her right side.  She spent three months at Ecumen of North Branch, Rehab and then moved into Assisted Living.  She made many new friends and really liked her caregivers.  In March of 2017, Doris moved into the Skilled Nursing section of Ecumen and also made new friends; one of her best being Jan Olson, another Rock Creek person.  Two weeks ago, Doris developed an upper respiratory infection and never regained her strength, passing calmly and comfortably on Friday, March 16, 2018.    

Doris is survived by her daughters Mary Ellen (John Sr.) Von Rueden of Hinckley, Ruth Ann (Gary) Horns of Coon Rapids; son Richard (Sandy) Johnson of Pine City; grandchildren Amy (Chad) Bodin of Duluth, John (Heather) Von Rueden of Hinckley, Jenny (Derek) Rydberg of Rush City, Jill (Kyle) Borgstrom of Pine City, Emily (Matt) Eitens of Sandstone, Abby (Justin Fagre) Horns of Crystal, Jamie (Gabe) Van Pelt of Hudson, WI., Christopher Horns of Coon Rapids; great-grandchildren: Ally, Madyson Doris, Hunter, Kendyl, Lane, Kellen, Emma, Hailey, Beckett, Melinda, Hailee, Gage, Eli, Teddy; special niece Vicki (Mike) Ovik.

She is preceded in death by her parents John Jr. and Mary Heyda; husband of 67 years Allan Johnson; brother Dick (Ruth) Heyda.

Monsignor Aleksander Suchan will celebrate a Mass of Christian Burial for Doris:  10:30 AM Tuesday, (3/20/18) at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Pine City.  A time of visitation and reviewal is planned from 5-8 PM Monday evening (3/19/18) with a prayer service at 7:30 PM at the Swanson Funeral Chapel in Pine City and 1 hour prior to the service at the church in the St. Anthony Commons.  The interment will take place at Birchwood Cemetery in Pine City.

The family would like to especially thank the staff of Ecumen and the staff of Fairview Hospice for the wonderful and loving care that was given to Doris.

Funeral arrangements for Mrs. Doris Johnson are entrusted to the:  Funeral and Cremation Service of Pine City, Swanson Chapel.   www.FuneralAndCremationService.com