Margaret L. "Joni" Johnson, 93, passed away on Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2004, at Immanuel Lutheran Home in Kalispell.

She was born on Aug. 18, 1911, at Kansas City, Mo., the daughter of Charles H. and Cora E. (Knollenberg) Johntz.

She attended schools in Kansas City and graduated from Southwest High School in Kansas City from Baker University in Baldwin City, Kan. A member of Alpha Chi Omega Sorority, she received a degree in French in 1933.

She went to work for Hall Bros. (later Hallmark Card Co.) in Kansas City as their first creative editorial writer, creating thousands of greeting cards before resigning to be married in October 1939.

She married Harry C. Johnson of Marquette, Kan., moving immediately to Cleveland, Ohio, where Harry was employed by Montana Flour Mills Co. Their first son, Jim, was born there.

The family moved to Great Falls in 1944. Harry was an executive for Montana Flour Mills until 1968, when it was purchased by ConAgra Inc. and he became the manager of Montana operations. Three more children were born to them in Great Falls; Bob, Denny and Signe.

Joni and Harry moved to Lakeside after Harry's 1980 retirement, and then to Kalispell in 1995. Harry died in September 2000.

Joni was a member of the PEO Sisterhood for nearly 50 years, the Society of Mayflower Descendants (charter member of the Montana society) and the First Presbyterian churches of Great Falls and Kalispell. She was a gifted and brilliant artist all her life, creating a drawing and a verse for every event or occasion.

Joni is survived by three sons, James W. Johnson and his wife, Myrna, of Kalispell, Robert E. Johnson and his wife, Paula Botelho, of Rockville, Md., and Dennis C. Johnson and his partner, Steve Smith, of Portland, Ore.; one daughter, Signe L. Johnson and her fiance, David A. Krise, of Lander, Wyo.; also six grandchildren, Mike Johnson and Amy of Kalispell, Erika Johnson and David Sandler of Kalispell, Tyler J. Johnson of Missoula, August Braden of Klamath Falls, Ore., Charles Braden of Chicago, and Mariana Botelho Johnson of Rockville, Md.

At her request, there will be no public service. The family will conduct private interment services for both Harry and Joni at a later date. A portion of her ashes will be returned to nature, as she wished.

If remembrances are desired, donations to the endowment of the First Presbyterian Church of Kalispell, MT.; or Immanuel Lutheran Corp., Kalispell, MT are requested.

Arrangements are under the direction of Johnson Mortuary and Crematory.