Mavis M. Johnson

Mavis Marion Johnson, age 90 of Cannon Falls, died on Wednesday evening September 16, 2026.

Mavis was born on August 19, 1936, the daughter of Stanley and Margaret (Salzwedel) Callister. She graduated co-salutatorian from Cannon Falls High School in 1954. She went onto Physical Therapy school at the University of Minnesota. She graduated in 1958 with honors. Mavis married Bruce Johnson on August 31, 1957. They went on to have 3 wonderful children together.

Mavis took great pride in her career as a physical therapist. She began with Goodhue County Health Services, later joined St. John’s Hospital, and eventually worked at Fairview in Red Wing, where she started the physical therapy department and grew it from a single employee to a staff of 21. She also developed the Cardiac Rehab Program for the hospital.

She worked nearly 33 years in the field, helping improve the lives of countless patients. Mavis lived a joyful life, traveling the world with Bruce, spending many special moments with her family, and tending to her flower gardens every day.

Her faith was a deep and steady source of strength; she was a devoted member of the First Congregational Church in Cannon Falls, where she taught Sunday school and served on several church committees for years.

Mavis will be greatly missed by her loving husband of 69 years, Bruce; children, Peggy (Scott) McDermott, Michael (Tracy) Johnson and Mary Ann (Mark) Maneval; seven grandchildren Kelly McDermott (Ben Pera), Courtney McDermott, Brock Johnson (Shea Lammers), Catherine (Ben) Rutter, Hunter (Anna) Johnson, Lily Johnson (Blair Jilek), and Cassidy Maneval (Connor Loeschke); great-grandchildren, Maeve, Liv, Nora and Isla; sister, Patricia Boehne; sisters-in-law, Sharon Callister-Huebner and Betty Lu Johnson; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; siblings, Gary (Darlene), William, Dennis (Angela), and Colin; brothers-in-law, Bill Boehne and Keith Johnson; and sister-in-law, Shirley Callister.

A celebration of life service will be held on Friday, September 25 at 11:00 am, with visitation from 10:00-11:00 am, at First Congregational Church, Cannon Falls. This service will be live-streamed and available to watch below. Interment will follow at the Cannon Falls Cemetery.

The family wishes for everyone to wear colorful attire to honor Mavis.

LIVESTREAM INFORMATION: For those who would like to participate in Mavis’ service via livestream, you can watch the service on Friday, September 25, 2026 at 11:00 am. It can be viewed by scrolling to the bottom of this page and click PLAY to begin. Please leave a message of support on our Tribute Wall to let the family know you were able to watch the service. If you are having troubles with the Livestream, the service will be available to watch later in the day.