Marie Heather (Finnicum) Johnson was born July 10, 1955 to Thomas and Thelma Finnicum in Culbertson, Montana. She was the fifth of six children.
As a young girl she was strong and eager to explore everything. She was often the first of her siblings to step out and explore new places and adventures. She was outgoing and possessed an empathetic and accepting view of people from all walks of life.
Marie loved to play with animals, but because she had allergies to kitties and dogs, she had a little piglet for a pet, which she dressed in doll clothes and strolled down to the store in a buggy. She attended school in Culbertson where she also became a homemaker and was blessed with three sons, Michael, Peter, and Chris Portra. The three boys were the main focus of her life until her grandchildren began arriving. Her days and nights were from there on all about grandkids.
Throughout her lifetime Marie enjoyed gardening, jewelry making, ceramics, various creative arts and crafts and collecting antiques.
Her life became complete when she met and married her best friend and love of her life, Don Johnson in which she was delighted to gain her two daughters. Don and Marie began their life together in Poplar, Montana and from there ventured on to live and work in Broadview and Hinsdale, Montana. They also enjoyed living in Alaska (Popef and Prince of Wales Islands) where they traveled and explored extensively. After their years in Alaska, Don and Marie returned to Montana living and working in Frazer and Winnett. They recently retired and returned to their family home in Hinsdale.
Marie, along with her husband, Don spent her life truly dedicated to her family and friends. She loved their travels and caring for her tiny companions Anuk and Sugar Babe.
Her survivors include two brothers; Thomas (Carol) Finnicum and Brady (Ladonna) Finnicum, three sisters; Joy Finnicum Johnson, Joanie (Mark) Oelke, Laurie (Pat) Wilson, three sons; Michael (Lizette) Portra, Peter (Danielle) Portra, Christopher (Anne) Portra, two daughters; Leslie (Craig) Vihinen and Lisa (Cyrus) Crabtree. Marie is also missed by twelve grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
Marie is preceded in death by her parents Thomas and Thelma Finnicum and stepfather Whitey Marchwick.
Memorials may be made to the Hinsdale Community Bank for the Hinsdale Ambulance Service.
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Service Schedule
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Brandy Litten says
Mike, Chris and Pete,
I know all too well the heartbreak y’all are feeling, and am so saddened by your family’s loss. I remember your Mama from my childhood, and always thought she was so beautiful! I would peek at her whenever she appeared, because I didn’t wanna get in trouble for staring! She walked so proudly, like she could take on anything, and I saw her smile from a block away, she was something else!
Rebecca Hansen Pederson says
Marie was always kind no matter what, which is reflected in her children and all the people she touched in her life.