Margaret “Marge” (Kumm) Johnson, former resident of Spring Valley, Minn., passed away at her home in College Park, Md., on Sept. 21, 2017, following a courageous battle against Stage IV lung cancer.
A graveside service will be held at the Lanesboro Cemetery on Saturday, October 21 at 11:30 a.m., followed by lunch in the fellowship hall at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Lanesboro, Minn.
Marge was born May 29, 1936, in Spring Valley, Minn., to Frances (Grabau) and Alvin Kumm. She graduated as valedictorian from Spring Valley High School, Spring Valley, Minn., in 1954. She had a great love for music and sang in the church choir, played baritone in the school band, and played with the Rochester Symphony while still in high school.
Marge graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor of Science, Nursing degree in 1959, and worked at the University of MN Hospitals. Marge met her husband, Charles “Charlie” E. Johnson, formerly of Lanesboro, Minn., while attending college. The couple were united in marriage on July 17, 1959.
In 1964, the young family moved to the Washington D.C. area, where Marge worked at Prince George’s Hospital in Cheverly, Md., and later worked in a vascular surgery practice in College Park, Md. Marge also volunteered for Planned Parenthood of Prince George’s County for many years and was the first volunteer nurse for their clinic. She was exemplary in her skill, kindness and compassion, and she was loved by patients and staff as well. Later in life, Marge also volunteered for Hospice of the Chesapeake.
Marge was an active member of St. Luke Lutheran Church, Silver Spring, Md., where she sang in Schola Cantorum for years. After moving to Maryland, she and her husband, Charlie, became avid UMD Terrapin fans, and Marge later became a fan of the Washington Nationals baseball team. Marge enjoyed attending Terrapin basketball games, watching Nationals baseball games, taking long walks, cooking wonderful meals for friends and family, going to concerts, and traveling. She returned often to Minnesota to visit with friends, family, and to attend alumni reunions.
Marge is survived by two sons, Ted of College Park, Md. and Chad (Nora) of Columbia, Md.; a daughter, Rachel (John) Kidwiler of Burtonsville, Md.; grandchildren, Alex and Nicole Kidwiler and Melissa Johnson; step-grandchildren, Daniela, Ignacio and Camila Queirolo; and great-grandson Matias Queirolo. Also surviving are sister and brother-in-law, Kathryn (Roger) Root of Wabasha, Minn.; sister-in-law, Karen (Marlin) Knutson of Des Moines, Iowa; two brothers-in-law, Jim (Joan) Johnson of Winona, Minn., and William (Shelia) Johnson of Lake City, Minn.; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Marge was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, Robert, and her husband, Charles, who passed away November 24, 2007.
A memorial service was held on Wednesday, September 27, 11 a.m. at St. Luke Lutheran Church, Silver Spring, Md. Memorial contributions may be made to the Organ Fund, St. Luke Lutheran Church, 9100 Colesville Rd., Silver Spring, Md. 20910 or to a charity of the contributor’s choice.