LaWanna Lou (Headley) Johnson

LaWanna Lou (Headley) Johnson, age 88, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family on Monday, June 9th, 2025, in Laporte, MN. She was born on March 2, 1937, in Madelia, MN, the daughter of Edna (Johnson) and Fay Headley.

LaWanna met her future husband, Gary Johnson, Sr., while in high school, young love that led to their marriage on December 12, 1954, in South Gate, California. In 1972, they boldly moved their young family across the country to northern Minnesota where they purchased and operated a small, scenic resort on Howard Lake - a beautiful place to raise their children.  LaWanna was an exceptional painter, sharing her talents with family and friends on oil paintings and Christmas ornaments.  She also enjoyed playing Yahtzee, crocheting baby blankets for all her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, gardening, and watching the birds.  In her younger days she enjoyed the lake life, traveling, camping trips with the family, being outside, and was in a bowling league.  But above all she loved spending time with her family.  She loved watching all the school and sporting events her kids, grandkids, and great grandkids were partaking in, spending countless hours with husband Gary at fields, courts, gyms and rinks - being a superfan.  She loved her frequent visits with her brother Darrel from California and spoke of them often. LaWanna’s kind heart and friendly, compassionate, gentle, and loving spirit quickly endeared her to everyone she met.  She will be dearly missed by all those whose heart she touched.

LaWanna was preceded in death by her parents, Edna and Fay Headley; brother, Duane Headley; and her high school sweetheart, best friend, and husband of 60+ years, Gary Lee Johnson, Sr.

LaWanna is survived by daughters, Gayleen (Rich) Eckholm of Walker, MN, Lori (Brad) Zubke of Laporte, MN and Tami (Craig) Hoiseth of Crookston, MN; son, Gary (Denise) Johnson of Bemidji, MN; brother, Darrel Headley of Hemet, CA; 11 grandchildren, Jaimi (Brock), Ryan, Krista, Brandon (Holly), Troy, Chad (Gina), Preston (Karen), Todd, Rachel (Jed), Daniel, and Matthew; 15 great-grandchildren, and so many loved ones in the wonderful Headley clan.

A Funeral service for LaWanna will be held on Thursday, June 19, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., with a one-hour visitation prior to, all to be held at Hope Lutheran Church in Walker, MN.  Pastor Matthew McWaters will officiate.  Pallbearers are LaWanna’s grandchildren. Honorary pallbearers are Darrel Headley, Mike Headley, Steve Headley, Colleen Johnson, Mary and Dick Satterfield, Jerry and Linda Stevens, and Bert and Joyce Runquist.

A luncheon will immediately follow the service. 1:00 p.m. interment in Evergreen Cemetery in Walker, MN.

LaWanna’s care has been entrusted to Northern Peace Funeral Home of Walker, MN.  Online condolences for the family may be left at www.northernpeace.com

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