Leona Mae Johnson was born May 1, 1925, at Genoa, Nebraska to Kenneth and Ethel (Swisher) Welch. She was called from this life on Wednesday evening, February 15th, at the Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar. She had attained the age of 86 years, 9 months and 14 days. She grew up in DeGraff, Minnesota, where she attended and graduated from the Murdock High School. On April 24th, 1945, Leona was united in marriage to Kenneth "Jack" Earl Johnson at the Pilgrim Congregational United Church of Christ in Benson. To this union two sons and one daughter were born. Together Leona and Kenneth were able to share in forty four years of marriage. Early in their marriage, Jack worked for the Quinn Brothers and Leona worked for Dr. Ebberly in Benson. Together they built and operated the Johnson Motel and Trailer Park for over 36 years. They also owned and enjoyed running the Benson Dairy Freeze. Leona was a member of the Pilgrim Congregational United Church of Christ and was active in Bridge Club, the Jaycettes and the Benson Industrial Development Corporation. Among the things Leona enjoyed were playing cards, knitting and crocheting. Leona is survived by her children: Rodney Johnson of St. Paul, MN, Allan Johnson of Sioux Falls, SD and Sandra (Kip) Blizil Jr. of Maple Lake, MN; six grandchildren: Bobbie, Billy, Beth, Shelly, Leah and Isaac; eleven great-grandchildren: Zach, Shauni, Caitlin, Breanna, Brayden, Broc, Isaiah, Noah, Carter, Sylvia and Suzanna. Leona was preceded in death by her parents: Kenneth and Ethel Welch; her husband: Kenneth "Jack" Johnson in 1989; two brothers: Leonard and Dean Welch; her granddaughter's fiancée: Jeff Colbenson.