Mary Esther Johnson was born in Minneapolis MN on February 20th, 1938, to Harry and Angeline. She was one of 6 children, and grew up in a little white house in Anoka. She met her husband, Sylvan Flaten, while working at May Brothers, and they were married on May 22nd, 1965. They built a home in a new neighborhood in Anoka, where they remained and raised their family. She was a lifelong member of Zion Lutheran Church, and a woman of quiet faith. She found pride in being a part of the Anoka community and enjoyed participating in Anoka traditions like the Halloween parades, pumpkin and medallion hunts, and other community activities.

Mary’s greatest joy was found first in her two boys, Russ and Steve, and then in being a Grandma to Bethany and Jonathan. For all the years she was able, she attended every activity, game, performance, and special event in their lives. She delighted in their accomplishments, and just in spending time with them. She was also a loving and attentive caregiver for many years for her mother and her sister who lived nearby prior to their deaths. She found joy in making beautiful gardens around her home. Choosing flowers and little decorations and flags every spring to plant in her numerous planters was an annual tradition. She stayed active on a women's bowling league for many years and loved traveling to see lighthouses with Sylvan and Russ. She spent many hours finding treasures at garage sales in the summers. She delighted in the hummingbirds and the white squirrel that would make appearances near her bird feeders. She enjoyed assembling jigsaw puzzles in her quiet time at home. As she approached the end of her life, she expressed the desire to remain at home, and with Sylvan and Russ’s loving care, she was able to remain there with them until she slipped peacefully away to heaven on January 3rd. 2026.

Mary never desired to be the center of attention. She was quiet and unassuming but approached life with determination (some might call it stubbornness), a sense of duty, and a dry wit that never stopped. She shared her ability to come up with appropriate one-liners with her son, Steve. Even when her memory had mostly gone, she still found humor in the ridiculous moments and wasn’t afraid to laugh, even at her own expense at times. She was unfailingly kind, helpful, and hospitable. If you came to her home, she always made sure you never left hungry or thirsty, and the offer of snacks, food and beverages would be repeated until you said yes. In 1999, Steve married Abby, who came with a large, loud family. Rather than being overwhelmed by the chaos, Mary just quietly showed up over the years to participate in and bear witness to all of the highs and lows, celebrations and losses that were a part of Abby’s family as well. Her quiet loving presence has been a cornerstone of the foundation of our lives, and we are forever grateful to have been loved by her. She is, and will continue to be, dearly missed by each of us.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, a newborn son, her brothers Richard Johnson and John Johnson, her sisters Carol Anderson and Kathryn Johnson, her niece Michelle Laven and nephew Kyle Johnson. She is survived by her loving husband of 60 years, Sylvan, her dear sons Russell and Stephen (Abigail), and her beloved grandchildren Bethany and Jonathan. Also, her brother Robert (Mary Kay) Johnson, nephews, Michael (Renee) Johnson, Mark (Nina) Johnson, and Timothy Johnson, niece Christine (Jeffry) Nordin, and several great nieces and nephews.

Services will be held at Zion Lutheran Church, 1601 4th Ave, Anoka, on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at 11:00am with visitation beginning at 10:00am..