Marcella Marie Johnson, 103, Minot and formerly of Sawyer died on Monday, July 11, 2011 in a Minot hospital.

Marcella was born on February 6, 1908 on the Effertz family farm northeast of Sawyer, North Dakota the oldest child of Joseph and Hannah (Butt) Effertz. She was reared on the farm and attended North Prairie Township School until the eighth grade. She graduated from Sawyer High School in 1926 and received her standard teaching certificate from Minot State University prior to teaching at the North Prairie Township School.

Marcella married her high school sweetheart, Oscar N. Johnson, on April 6, 1929 in Velva, ND. They made their home in Minot for a short time and on several different farms until 1936 when they moved onto the W.A. Ruth homestead a quarter mile from her birthplace. They bought the farm in 1941. They raised four children, small grains, cattle, hogs, poultry and had a large garden. Following their retirement they enjoyed traveling to various places in the continental U.S. and to Caribbean Islands, Alaska and Hawaii. Oscar died on April 13, 1989. Marcella continued to live on the farm until 1998 when she moved into Minot.

Marcella was very active in community affairs including the Prairie Homemakers, 4H, Sawyer Community Club, Sawyer Senior Citizens, St. Leo's Catholic Church, Sons of Norway and Elkettes. She served as sexton of the Sawyer Community Cemetery for many years.

Marcella's loving family includes her children: Delores (Don) Carlson of New Town, Kathlyn Kaye of Bismarck and Ken (Marcia) Johnson of Minot; former daughter-in-law and loving caregiver: Grace Johnson of Minot; grandchildren: Gorden (Jean Loudon) Hedahl, Karen (Brad) Rohde, John Carlson, Joan (Scott) Weyrauch, Brad (Mary Ann) Johnson, Karlene (Don) Hutson, Sally Johnson, Karlton Johnson, Chris (Nikki Kilde) Johnson, Nikki Randall, Rick (JoAnn) Randall and Allan Randall; great-grandchildren: Mark (Abby) Hedahl, Melissa (Jeremy) Kirkendal, Carrie Ann (Eric) Benson, Byron (Dianne) Hedahl, Doug (Britt) Rohde, Dena Rohde, Donny Carlson, Patrick Weyrauch, Andrew (Beth) Delabarre, Connor Johnson, Ross, Gracia and Graham Hutson, Ben Johnson, Ashley (Craig) Huot, Abbey Schroeder, Ryan and Brady Randall, Dustin and Cody Randall, Fischer and Leighton Johnson, Troy (Patricia) Sauber, Travis Sauber, Tony Kulig and Keli (Matt) Kramer; great-great-grandchildren: Annabelle Kirkendal; Emily, Megan and Adam Benson; Corrina, Lincoln and Aubrey Hedahl; Bailey Johnson; Quinn Huot; Norah, Julia and Owen Delabarre; Gregory Sauber and Ava Lorsung; brother: Gerald "Pat" (Loretta) Effertz of Velva; sister-in-law: Lois Effertz of Minot and numerous nieces and nephews.

Marcella was preceded in death by her parents, husband, son: Marvin, grandson: Jeff Hedahl; great-grandsons: Kevin Hedahl and Lee Randall; sisters: Katherine (John) Lee and Bernadine (Irwin) Lee and brothers: Jerome (Bessie) Effertz, Marcus (Dorothy) Effertz, Sylvester (Verle) Effertz and Stanley Effertz.

Mass of Christian Burial: Friday, July 15, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. in Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church Minot.
Vigil Prayer Service: Thursday at 7:30 p.m. in Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church.
Visitation: Thursday from noon until 4:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral home Minot and from 5:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. in the church prior to the prayer service.
Graveside Service: Friday at 2:30 p.m. in the Sawyer Community Cemetery rural Sawyer following fellowship at the church.
Memorials are preferred to the Sawyer Community Cemetery, Minot State University or the Sons of Norway Minot.