Mary Janet Johnson

Mary Janet Johnson (nee Dawson), age 84, of Lancaster, WI passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 19, 2024 at St Mary’s Hospital in Madison, WI. She was born on September 17, 1940 in Canistota, SD, the daughter of Roy and Lisette Dawson. She married Willis Stanley Johnson on December 15th, 1962.

Mary attended Augustana University in Sioux Falls, SD and University of Nebraska in Lincoln after graduating from Canistota High School in 1958. She met her future husband, Willis, through a mutual friend from Augustana University and wed in 1962. She then moved to Madison and worked in several administrative positions including the State Crime Lab in Madison, Wisconsin until 1969 when her first child, Dawn (Duchesneau) was born. Julie (Levins) was born a few years later. She enjoyed being a stay-at-home mom. The family moved a few times as Will changed jobs, but settled in Lancaster in 1980. There she finished her education, graduating from the University of Platteville in December, 1983 with a degree in Business Administration. She worked a few years at Swiss Colony and Lands End for 15 years until she retired. She was an active member at Lancaster Methodist Church until she moved to Charleston House assisted living in Beaver Dam, WI in 2022.

Mary is survived by her two daughters, Dawn (Derrik) Duchesneau, Julie (Brian) Levins and four grandchildren, Justin and Megan Duchesneau, Andrew and Ella Levins. She is also survived by her sister-in-law Alice Punwar, and many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Willis Johnson, her brothers Jerry and Don Dawson and sister Jean Niedert.

A celebration of Mary’s life will take place at 11:30 AM on October 19, 2024 at Cress Funeral Home, 3610 Speedway Road Madison WI 53705. A visitation will take place from 10:00 AM until the time of service. 

A private burial will take place immediately following the visitation at Springdale Lutheran Church in Mt. Horeb, WI. 

We would like to thank the staff at Charleston House Assisted Living, Beaver Dam Community Hospital and St Mary's Hospital in Madison, WI for the wonderful care they gave Mary.