Marycarla Johnson obituary

Marycarla (Muckelberg) Johnson “MC”, age 86, of Eden Prairie, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family on October 9, 2025, at N.C. Little Hospice House in Edina, Minn. Marycarla was a devoted daughter, loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, a caring sister and trusted friend. MC was very respected among her business friends and relationships for her knowledge and work ethic.
Marycarla was born at 5:15 p.m. on Wednesday, April 28, 1939, in Lake City, Minn. She was the oldest of four children born to John and Stella (Krier) Muckelberg.  
Marycarla enjoyed her ‘Mayberry’ childhood in Lake City.  With her two sisters in tow, she skated in the winter on Lake Pepin, in the summers they swam and played on the beach. The three of them played ‘paper dolls’ on the sun porch on rainy days, later that night go looking for ‘night crawler’ worms with their dad for fishing the next day. In the evenings, Marycarla, being the oldest, would get the best spot next to Dad by the floor radio - the family would enjoy Bob Hope, Red Skelton, westerns, and more while eating Mom’s ‘sticky popcorn.’
Marycarla moved to Richfield in 1954 and graduated from Richfield High School in 1957.  Her four best friends at RHS remained BFF - sharing each other’s marriages, raising children, jobs, laughter and tears. Marycarla met Ronald Johnson at RHS, they married in 1958, sharing three children, Kimberly, Joel and Jennifer.  
Proceeded in death by her beloved parents John and Stella (Krier) Muckelberg, precious infant daughter Kimberly Kay, dearest sisters Johnell Schrupp and Sharon Hanson, grandniece Alicia Hanson, former husband Ronald Johnson, brothers-in-law Bob Schrupp and Ron Hanson, many special aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents and many blessed friends and neighbors. And also, her faithful gentle companion – her kitty Pussywillow. They will all be there to greet her.
Survived by her special pride and joys, her forever loves; son Joel (Lori) Johnson and daughter Jennifer (Sheldon) Sanvik, her three precious grandchildren Dominic (Ann-Jeanette) Johnson, Jacob (Lette) Sanvik, and Samantha (Van) Liv, and many dear and special cousins and many cherished friends.  
Marycarla loved to read, write poetry, draw and garden, enjoyed old movies, music of the Big Bands, Country Western, Elvis and Frank Sinatra.  Marycarla loved animals, especially elephants. She had even adopted a 24-year-old elephant, Tilly, who lives in a California wildlife reserve.
Marycarla created beautiful flower beds at her Richfield home, inheriting her father’s green thumb. Like her mom Marycarla created delicious meals, baked breads, cakes, pies and cookies for her family and friends. Over the years Marycarla enjoyed drawing, creating in love, special pieces for family and very special friends. When drawing she’d be content at her art table until the wee hours. She also illustrated a cookbook.
Marycarla loved a good discussion - especially those with differing opinions and conversations on a variety of topics. Marycarla enjoyed a wide range of friends with varied backgrounds; birth places from USA to Pakistan, Scotland and China, varied   religions, professions, with ages up to105! Diversity was her ‘spice of life’.     
Marycarla loved the smell/taste of fresh coffee, the stillness of a winter night after a snowfall, cats purring, chocolate in any form, a infant’s fresh scent, romantic Victorian mysteries, smell of burning leaves in the fall, her hands in garden soil, giving gifts - especially unexpected gifts.  She was always sending cards, notes and letters to family & friends, cooking & baking, and of course loved the Holidays!  She also cherished quiet time for herself and her memories.  
Marycarla enjoyed family vacations with her beloved and special Birkeland’s family in northern Minnesota each summer and one fun, cold winter weekend.
Most of all, Marycarla loved to be in the mist of her family and friends.
MC was a valued employee at Emerson Process Management, Rosemount Division, for 30+ years. Like her father before her, Marycarla often held down two or three jobs, when the need arose, to support her family. Marycarla did everything from driving an ambulance, to salesperson at Carsen Prairie Scott (named their salesperson of the Year for U.S.), to Realtor for Burnett Realty. MC had also formed her own company, MC Properties Inc., (flipping and re-selling numerous homes in Minneapolis). MC used her artistic talent designing and drawing show cards, flyers, and more for businesses and also created illustrations for books. MC also worked for her friends, the Howard Wong family, at their restaurant over 17 years.   
Marycarla was a member of Richfield Methodist and Prairie Methodist Churches.
Marycarla was a ‘room mother’ for both Joel and Jenny every one of their grade school years, taught Sunday school at Richfield Methodist, was a PTA and PTO member and officer, and loved playing softball (first base) for a Richfield women’s softball team.    
In 2001, Marycarla moved to Eden Hills Condo in Eden Prairie. Over the years she served as Association Board member and President, chairman of Landscape committee and Social committee plus member of the Decorating committee. For Marycarla it was her home, surrounded by woods and filled throughout the years with many special neighbors and friends.
Marycarla was an overall amazing woman who made friends easily and kept friends forever, an outstanding granddaughter, daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, cousin, neighbor and friend.  Marycarla will be missed for her joyful, helpful, patient, kind, accepting and loving spirit.  
Funeral services 11 a.m., November 15, 2025, at Washburn McReavy - Eden Prairie Chapel at Hwy 5 and Mitchell Road, Eden Prairie. 952-975-0400. Visitation one hour prior to service.  The family invites you to a luncheon following the service.
In lieu of flowers, make donations to N.C. Little Hospice House in Edina, Minn.
Private Interment at Hillside Cemetery where her daughter Kimberly rests.