Mary Alice (MacLafferty) Johnson, 89, of Shenandoah, Iowa passed away on May 2, 2024, at Shenandoah Medical Center. Mary Alice was born on December 29, 1934, to James Watson MacLafferty and Maurine Roberts Stonebraker MacLafferty in Des Moines, Iowa. Her early years were spent in Council Bluffs, Iowa. During WWII, the family moved to Middletown, Ohio. They later returned to Council Bluffs where she graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School in 1952. Mary Alice attended Iowa State College in Ames, Iowa, where she majored in Home Economics, with a focus on Child Development. She was a member of the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority and graduated in 1955. While at Iowa State, she caught the eye of an Iowa State basketball player named Howie Johnson. His handsome looks and comedic personality eventually convinced her to give him a chance. Howard became the love of her life. They were married on December 30, 1955, in Council Bluffs.

During their 59 years of marriage, they first lived in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where Howard was serving in the United States Army at Fort Carson. They soon made their home in Shenandoah where Howard was born and raised. The Johnson family owned and operated Johnson's Clothing in downtown Shenandoah for over 50 years, where Mary Alice helped on occasion after Howard's father passed away. Together Mary Alice and Howard poured their hearts into the people and the community, and they were always proud of their hometown. Shenandoah honored them in 2011 by selecting them to be Grand Marshals of the Shenfest Parade.

Mary Alice contributed to the community through her involvement in numerous clubs, organizations, and activities. Some of those included helping with the publication of the Kitchen Klatter Cookbook, leading the singing at Elm Heights for many years, being a resident advocate at Elm Heights, and serving six years on the hospital board. She was a 70-year member of P.E.O. and a longstanding member of Shenandoah Book Club. She also was an active member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church where she participated in many circle groups, served on numerous committees, sang in the choir, and enjoyed the quilters group. She was a longtime Page County election official. She volunteered for over 20 years in daughter-in-law Marcia Johnson's elementary classroom, where she soon became known as "The Other Mrs. Johnson." Because of her service to Shenandoah students, she was the recipient of the Shenandoah Education Association's "Friend of Education Award" in 2012.

Spending time with her family and friends was extremely important to Mary Alice. She took part in many community activities and enjoyed going to music programs, theater productions, and sporting events. She loved playing cards and belonged to several Bridge and Hand & Foot groups. A favorite pastime was watching Iowa State football and basketball games as she proudly displayed the cardinal red and gold. She put her homemaking skills to good use as she generously provided homemade cookies or spiced pecans to family, friends, neighbors, and even strangers. Mary Alice was a lady in the truest sense of the word. She always put others ahead of herself and was a bright light to many because of her beautiful soul.

Preceding Mary Alice in death were parents James and Maurine MacLafferty; brother and sister-in-law Paul and Shirley MacLafferty; husband Howard in 2015. She is survived by daughter Robin (Ned) Kiser of Lake Lure, North Carolina; son Mark (Marcia) Johnson of Shenandoah; son Jeff (Joy) Johnson of West Des Moines, Iowa; grandchildren Jason (Tiffany) Kiser of Roanoke, Indiana; Aaron (Megan) Kiser of Olympia Fields, Illinois; Mackenzie (Luke) Scrivens of Savannah, Missouri; Casey (Reed) Smith of Ankeny, Iowa; Carly Johnson of West Des Moines; Cameron Johnson of West Des Moines; great-grandchildren Gwenyth and Estella Kiser; Camila and Frances Kiser; Hayden and Kayde Scrivens; Finn Smith; many other relatives and friends. The family would like to thank the staff of the Shenandoah Medical Center and Accura HealthCare for their compassion and excellent care.

Funeral service will be held 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, May 8, 2024 at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Shenandoah.  Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 7, 2024 at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Shenandoah.  Graveside service will be held 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, May 8, 2024 at the Rose Hill Cemetery in Shenandoah.  Memorials may be directed to the Emmanuel Lutheran Church.