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Marie Barbara (Heinen) Johnson was born on March 22, 1928, in Milwaukee, WI and passed away on September 7, 2017, in Oshkosh, WI.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Jim and Irma Heinen; her sister, Winifred; and a brother, Roger.
Marie is survived by her brother, Harvey (Mary Jean) Heinen. She was the beloved wife of Ronald Johnson for 31 years, wonderful stepmother to Linda Johnson, Louise (Johnson) (Larry) Weinberg, Russell (Laureen) Johnson, and Douglas (Michelle) Johnson; step-grandmother to Seth Johnson, Raizel Weinberg, and Aaron Weinberg. She had numerous nieces and nephews: Roger (Marny) Heinen, Anne Marie Davis Heinen, Susan Marie (John) Goman,Mary Ellen (Len)Heinen, Jennifer (David) Cook, Lynn (Randy)Ciepluch,Theresa (Patrick) Costello, Joseph (Carolyn)Heinen, Amy (Mike) Fussman; Susan and Anne have Marie as their middle name. Marie also had sixteen great- nieces and great-nephews ages 2-30 that she kept track and in touch with.
Marie was ahead of her time graduating from Divine Savior High School in Milwaukee, WI and pursuing a career, graduating from Mount Mary College with her undergraduate degree in 1955 and her Master's Degree in 1957 in Medical Technology. She was initially employed at St. Joseph's Hospital and then retired from Milwaukee Hospital as the medical technology lab director on November 1, 1984. Her peace-making ease and people skills allowed her to be a respected and accomplished leader noted for fairness, professionalism, and caring, fostering her many friendships with physicians, colleagues, and co-workers outside the work environment even post her retirement.
Her hobbies included travel, bridge, mahjong, golf ,tennis, crafting, baking, and cooking.
On December 18, 1985, Marie happened to be attending Mass in Greendale, WI and this Mass was attended by a very recent (hours only) widower newly grieving the death of his wife. As winter progressed and Ronald continued to attend daily Mass Marie introduced herself to him and they began to walk together and quickly discovered their many common interests that grew into love and Ronald proposed on March 15,1986, marrying on July, 19,1986. She was a wonderful stepmother and friend. Marie and Ronald eventually moved to Bella Vista, Arkansas and were companions and fellow retirees enjoying their blossoming lives together. In October 2014, they returned to Wisconsin moving into Bella Vista Assisted Living in Oshkosh where Ronald was the primary caregiver. Marie never complained about her failing health, physical difficulties, and incapacitations. If anything, she handled them all with calm and grace always inquiring on the health and comfort of those who were around her.
Marie's bright blue eyes, quick smile, spunky wit, graciousness, intelligence, diplomacy, affability, and loving heart will be greatly missed. She brought much joy just by her presence and led a grace filled life.
A visitation for fmily and friends will be on Thursday, September 21, 2017, from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church, 210 Pleasant Dr. Winneconne. A funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, at 11:00 a.m. at the church with Fr. Tom Long and Sr. Pam Biehl officiating.
The family wishes to thank the staff at Bella Vista Assisted Living for her care these past three years, the empathetic staffs at Aurora Medical Center and Aurora At Home Hospice as well as dear friend Judy Reetz, and Sr. Pam and Fr. Tom Long for all their comfort provided.
If you wish please submit online condolences to muellerfuneralhomeinc.com.