Mary Celeste Knoer Johnson, 93, died peacefully on Sunday, December 7, 2025 at the Spearfish Canyon Healthcare Center.

Mary was born November 16, 1932 in Mallard, Iowa, the daughter of Joseph and Celestine (Regan) Knoer. Mary shared her life with one sister and six brothers.

She graduated high school in Rodman, Iowa and she went on to earn her nursing degree from St. Mary's School of Nursing in Rochester, Minnesota. Mary came to South Dakota with two other nurses to work at the Fort Meade VA Hospital near Sturgis.

Mary met and later married John "Rollie" Johnson on August 1, 1955 in Whittemore, Iowa. They settled in Sturgis where they raised three boys: Tim, Tom and Jay.

She is survived by sons Jay (Tina) Johnson of Sturgis, Tom Johnson of Bunker, MO; daughter-in-law Vesta Johnson of Rapid City; one grandson; six granddaughters; six great-grandsons; three great-granddaughters; and two great-great-granddaughters.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, husband Rollie in 2016, son Timothy in 2016,  daughter-in-law Wanna Gaye; four brothers; and one sister.

Her Memorial Mass Service will be 11:00 am Friday, December 12, 2025 at the Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Sturgis.

Burial Service will be 12:30 pm at Black Hills National Cemetery.

Arrangements with Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home.