Marlene Marie (Gross) Johnson

Marlene “Molly” Marie (Gross) Johnson was born to Alan Gross, Sr. on November 18,1961 in Cass Lake, MN. She was raised by her grandparents Alvin & Emily Staples and her parents Alan and Shirley. She grew up in Cass Lake and later moved to Minneapolis in 1986 making it her home until coming back to Cass Lake in the early 2000’s where she met the love of her life John Johnson in 2009, later marrying on February 3rd, 2012. Together her and John shared two sons, Chase and Josh, Molly loved her sons and her granddaughters, Dakota and Kelilah, very much.

Molly enjoyed spending time with her granddaughters the most, she loved her dog Chico and cats Sissy and Timmy, she loved going to the casino, playing bingo, doing her crossword, and she always had a puzzle going. Molly was also called Grandma by lots of her nieces and nephew, always raising cane with them. Molly also enjoyed taking time to smoke a joint with her family and friends, always asking someone "you want to smoke"? Molly also loved reality tv shows, collected “Homies” from quarter machines. Molly was very sociable and made friends easily also sparking conversations with people.

Those that meet Molly in the spirit world are her grandparents, Alvin and Emily Staples, parents Alan Gross, Sr. and Shirley Raish, aunts; Hebby Church and Judy Harper, sisters Roberta “Boona” Headbird, Sarah Headbird, niece; Jami Headbird, nephews; Ryan and Conrad Buckanaga, and her friend; Concho.

Those to cherish her memory are her husband John Johnson, children; Chase (Devina) Johnson, Joshua Kornezos, Mijakwaad Johnson, Binayshee Johnson, sisters; Robin (Neil) Headbird, Shari (Blaine) Headbird-Archambault, Sandra “Amy” Headbird, Alana Gross, Margaret (Dean) Good Buffalo, brothers; Robert “Jappy”(Maureen) Headbird, Alan “Punky”(Julie) Gross, Jr., John Rock, aunts; Kay Jackson, Elizabeth Aitken, Rebecca Olson, uncle; Pat Staples, numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and many great nieces and nephews.

The wake for Molly will begin at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 14th and continue until her 10:00 a.m. traditional service on Monday, February 16th, 2026, all to be held at the Mission Community Center in Cass Lake, MN.  Allen Hardy will be her Spiritual Advisor.  Laying Molly to rest are Billy Headbird, Sage Seelye, Daniel Wind Bobby Headbird, Kenneth Hough, James Robinson, and Joseph Buckanaga.  Her honorary pallbearers are Margaret Wickner, Shirley Olson, and Emily Johnson.  Interment will be in the Thompsonville Cemetery in Cass Lake, MN immediately following her Monday services. 

Molly’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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