Mary M. "Marnie" Johnson

MARY M. (Marnie) Adelman Johnson
Peacefully passed away Saturday January 30, 2016 with her family by her side. Marnie was born in Parkston South Dakota on June 16, 1925 the youngest of seven children to Amelia and AJ Adelman. She grew up in Parkston working in her parent's restaurant "The Corner Cafe". She graduated in 1943 from Sacred Heart High School in Parkston where she was a cheerleader. After graduation she worked in Mitchell SD and moved to San Francisco where one of her older sisters lived. In 1947 she met the "love of her life" Herbert Johnson who was the brother of her sister's husband and so a double marriage in the family occurred when they got married on April 10, 1948. To this union a son, Gregory, was born. In 1949 they moved to Oakland, CA and started "Herb's Little Hardware" store. During this time Marnie worked in catering at the Redwood Country Club in Oakland and the Clairemont Hotel in Berkeley, CA. In 1955 their marriage was blessed by the birth of their daughter, Barbara. While in California Herb and Marnie enjoyed many adventures of camping, RVing and building their cabins at Lake Tahoe. They also were active members in Oakland Rod and Gun Club and the local VFW post.
In 1965 they moved the family to Roseburg, OR. Whereupon Marnie worked as the head caterer at the Roseburg Country Club and the old Umpqua Hotel. Later she worked at the start-up of Dougco Schools Credit Union (Cascade Community Credit Union). She retired after many years working as bookkeeper at the Douglas County Farmer's CoOp. She is most known for her "Rolling HotDog Stand" which was a fixture at Sutherlin High School for many years.
Upon moving to Roseburg, Marnie became very active in the Newcomer's Club, which welcomed new residents to the Roseburg area. She was also involved in the Umpqua Lady Lions, the Roseburg Elks Club Auxiliary especially their RV Club and Road Clean Up crews. Other organizations were the Four Season Dance Club and the Red Hats Society. Her hobbies included camping, RVing, crabbing, crocheting, needlepoint. She loved entertaining friends and family especially the Johnson's Annual Venison Pit BBQ. Marnie's other love was the attending of the many Johnson family reunions.
She has been an active member and supporter of St. Joseph Catholic Church since 1965. For 28 years they were the proud owners of the 80 acre homestead located in the San Souci area west of Roseburg where they raised cattle, harvested apples from their century old apple trees, cut and planted trees and lived the country life. In later years Herb and Marnie called Riverview Terrace "home" and loved being there.
Marnie was preceded in death by her parents and siblings. She outlived them all and was blessed with excellent health.
Marnie is survived by her husband Herbert, son Greg (Carol) Johnson of Roseburg; daughter, Barbara (Joe) Tuma of Eugene; grandchildren Bryan (Cierra) Johnson of Bend; Michelle (Nick) Larsen of Eugene; Major Matthew (Kinetta) Johnson of Chantilly, VA; Joey (Hanna) Tuma of Portland; Nathan Johnson of Portland; and 12 great grandchildren !
A funeral mass will be held at St Joseph Catholic Church on February 11, 2016 at 12 noon with a celebration of life immediately after at Riverview Terrace, 2nd Floor Activity Room, 1970 W Harvard Avenue.
If you would like to make a donation to honor her - please do so to:
The Parking Lot fund at St. Joseph Church, 800 W Stanton Street, Roseburg, OR 97471. She would be very pleased knowing that she is helping with the safety of parishioners entering church.