Evelyn Dorothy Mans (Pierce) Johnson

Our dear Evelyn was called home to heaven on May 17, 2024. She was 99 years old and what a life she lived!

Evelyn was born to Lawrence and Sylvesta (Butz) Mans of Mankato, MN. She later became a big sister to Kathy and Gary Mans. On June 13, 1946, she married Glen Pierce and had three children, Sharry, Linette, and Kent. They were married for 45 years before Glen passed away in September 1991. Evelyn and Glen enjoyed snowmobiling. They were members of the Brighton Sno-Thumpers and the Coon Rapids Sno-Cruisers Club. During this time, Evelyn participated in raising money to aid the cause of finding a cure for Multiple Sclerosis (MS).

Ev was a member of the Alpha Delta Kappa Pi Chapter, a National Teachers' Sorority. She was a dedicated member of this organization since 1965. She held positions of President and Treasurer and served on the Executive Board and as Historian as well as other offices and served on other committees for over 59 years. In 2015, in honor of her membership of 50 years to this organization, the International Headquarters awarded her a special Golden Certificate.

In April 1992 she married Grant Johnson. They were married for 32 years. During their time together they traveled the world going to places like Costa Rica, Alaska, and Australia. In addition, they spent a lot of time in their RV, snowmobiling, and enjoyed spending time at Grant's family farm in Sauk Centre, MN.

Upon graduating from a private high school, she proceeded to get her elementary school certificate from the State of MN in 1946 to teach grades 1-12. This led to a 50+ year career in teaching that began in a one-room schoolhouse. She always said that her greatest satisfaction was teaching children to read. While raising three children and teaching she went on to get her Bachelor of Science at The University of MN in 1963 plus 60 credits towards her master's degree.

Evelyn loved teaching; it was the only thing she wanted to do. She knew she wanted to be a teacher since the first day of first grade. She started in a one-room schoolhouse in rural MN and after 4 years of teaching there, she and Glen moved to the Twin Cities where she obtained a teaching position in what is now Vadnais Heights. In 1955 she moved to the Mounds View school district and remained there until the end of her career; she spent 41 years in this district. She helped educate over 1,000 students, her student's children and even her great-grandson's elementary school principal.

In 1985 Ev participated in the first Chalkboard Capers show, put on by the Mounds View Education Association. She was with the Apple Core singing group and continued to be a part of this group for 26 years. She was presented the OLE Award (Outstanding Layperson in Education) in 2012 for working additional hours in helping second graders after school in learning how to read. She was always there to help kids learn to read as reading was her passion! In passing, Evelyn's contributions continued. Evelyn chose to help others by participating in the University of Minnesota Medical School's Anatomy Bequest Program, which supports high quality education for future health professionals and continued advancements in medical care through research.

She is survived by her loving husband Grant Johnson. Her two children, Sharry Hillyard (Larry), and Kent Pierce (Terry). Her two stepchildren, Karla Mackenzie (Tom Holtzleiter), Kevin Johnson (Cindy). Six grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, and one great, great grandchild. Many beloved nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents, first husband, Glen, daughter, Linette, sister Kathy, brother, Gary, and grandson, Thomas.

Please join in honoring Ev's memory:

Church of St. Timothy

707 89th Ave NE, Blaine, MN 55434

Thursday, September 12, 2024

Visitation: 10:00 AM

Mass: 11:00 AM

Luncheon immediately following.