Joyce Johnson

Joyce Johnson was born in Pine Island, Minnesota in 1917. Her given middle name was Elrose, but she much preferred Leahy, her maiden name and a connection with cherished family in England. One of her proudest life #8211;long accomplishments was, with the help of her grandfather, John Leahy, detailing her family tree as a high school project. Much later she would travel to England and re-establish a connection with her Leahy family roots there. Joyce was married for 64 wonderful years to Milton Johnson, of Two Harbors, Minnesota. They met while Milton was working with the Civilian Conservation Corps in southern Minnesota during the Depression. Over the years, Joyce and Milton lived in Rochester and Two Harbors, Minnesota, Detroit, Michigan, and Hammond, Indiana, where they raised their family. After retirement, they moved back to Rochester. Milton passed away in 2002, just shortly before his 90th birthday. Joyce relocated to Bozeman, Montana from Minnesota in 2007 to be closer to family here. In Bozeman, she resided at the Gallatin Rest Home, where she was well cared for and made many friends. Joyce is survived by a sister, Mary Jeanne Pearson of New York, son Steven (Jeanne) Johnson of Big Sky, Montana, and daughter, Susan (Mike) Thayer of Manassas, Virginia, six grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. Services for Joyce will take place at Zumbro Lutheran Church in Rochester, Minnesota.