Mary Louise Johnson was born August 29, 1929 to J. Edwin and Eunice (Gessner) Johnson in St. Peter, Minnesota. She grew up on the family farm in Oshawa Township, Nicollet County with siblings Donald, Phyllis (Preston), Russell, and Ruth (Anderson). When she started country school, Mary Lou read so well she was immediately advanced to the second grade. She enjoyed playing clarinet in dance bands, and also played piano. She started Gustavus Adolphus College at the age of 17 and graduated with a degree in Biology. Her intent was to do medical research at Mayo Clinic but before that came to fruition, she met Douglas G. Brown. They married on February 4th, 1950, and after a year each at Manly Iowa, Iowa City, the Quincy Illinois area, they settled in Sioux City where they raised 5 children; Kristine, Juliana, Johanna, Loren and Clinton, as well as numerous foster children from babies to teens.
Starting in September, the First City Squares will host dances from 2 to 4:30 p.m. on Sundays each month through May at the Bemidji United Methodist Church, 924 Beltrami Ave NW.
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