Marie Heather Johnson

Marie Heather (Finnicum) Johnson, 60, passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2016, in Glasgow, Mont.

She was born July 10, 1955, to Thomas and Thelma Finnicum in Culbertson, Mont. 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.

She 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, she 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.

She and Don began their life together in Poplar, and from there ventured on to live and work in Broadview and Hinsdale. They also enjoyed living in Alaska (Popof and Prince of Wales Islands), where they traveled and explored extensively. After their years in Alaska, they returned to Montana, living and working in Frazer and Winnett. They recently retired and returned to their family home in Hinsdale.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas and Thelma Finnicum; and stepfather, Whitey Marchwick.

She, 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 Baby.

Survivors include two brothers, Thomas Finnicum and his wife, Carol, and Brady Finnicum and his wife, Ladonna; three sisters, Joy Finnicum Johnson, Joanie Oelke and her husband, Mark, and Laurie Wilson and her husband, Pat; three sons, Michael Portra and his wife, Lizette, Peter Portra and his wife, Danielle, and Christopher Portra and his wife, Anne; two daughters, Leslie Vihinen and her husband, Craig, and Lisa Crabtree and her husband, Cyrus; 12 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

A memorial service was held Saturday, Feb. 27, at 1 p.m. at the Community of Christ in Culbertson. Memorials may be made to the Hinsdale Community Bank for the Hinsdale Ambulance Service.