Mary Helen Johnson

FUNERAL SERVICES : 10:30 A.M. on Friday, September 23, 2011 at Calvary Lutheran Church in Park Rapids, MN with Reverend Stephen Norby officiating.VISITATION : 5-8:00 P.M. on Thursday, September 22, 2011 at Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids, MN and for one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday.INTERMENT : SURVIVORS : Her sister, Clara (Don) Nelson; her brother, Ralph (Wanda) and sister-in-law, Dora Johnson. MARY HELEN JOHNSONMarch 8, 1937 ~ September 15, 2011 Mary Helen Johnson, age 74 of Park Rapids, MN passed away on Thursday, September 15, 2011 at the Heritage Living Center in Park Rapids, MN. Mary Helen was born on March 8, 1937 to Victor and Elin (Carlson) Johnson in Pequot Lakes, MN. As a young girl, Mary Helen attended the Sunny Knoll and Pequot Lakes schools. In June of 1979, she moved into a group home in Park Rapids. Shortly after moving to Park Rapids, Mary Helen started working at the Hubbard County Recycling Center as a line worker; a career that spanned over 30 years. Mary Helen was musically inclined; she loved to play the keyboard, harmonica and the guitar. She also loved to sing old hymns. Mary Helen was an avid card player; her favorite games were Rummy and Kings in the Corner. Mary Helen was very proud when she got to move into her own apartment in October of 1986. When she got ill in April of this year she moved to the Heritage Living Center. While there, she made many new friends and enjoyed playing Bingo. She was a member of the Calvary Lutheran Church in Park Rapids. Mary Helen was a very happy person and always had a smile on her face and will be missed by all who knew her. She will be lovingly remembered by her sister, Clara (Don) Nelson; her brother, Ralph (Wanda); her sister-in-law, Dora Johnson; many cousins, nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. Mary Helen was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Pearl and her husband, Harold; her brother, Paul. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Friday, September 23, 2011 at the Calvary Lutheran Church in Park Rapids, MN with Reverend Stephen Norby officiating. The congregational hymn will be "Blessed Be the Tie That Binds". The organist will be Roz Pederson. Bill and Jan Lundsten are the vocalists and will be singing "You Are My Sunshine" and "How Great Thou Art". Rick Amsberry and Dean Wesby will be playing the special musical tribute "Amazing Grace". Casketbearers will be Bill Lundsten, Mark Nelson, Bob Buck, Rick Zeller and Norman Larson. Visitation will be held from 5-8:00 P.M. on Thursday, September 22, 2011 at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids, MN and for one hour prior to the services at the church on Friday.