Marianne Hess

Marianne E. Hess
December 13, 1935 – August 15, 2023

December 13, 1935, in an area of Germany (which is now Poland). Marianne was the second child of Wilhelm & Else Butz. She had an older brother Wolfgang & a younger brother Volkhard.

Her childhood was privileged, but not easy. She loved the world of nature, herded and attended all the animals on the family estate. On her solitary walks her devoted dachshunds accompanied her, after her brother, Wolfgang went away to boarding school.

When she was about 8 yrs. Old, WWII interrupted their family life. Those who could, including Marianne’s family, fled to West Germany many left by horse & wagon. Her father provided teams of horses to servants & villagers who were able to leave, keeping the team of lighter carriage horses for themselves. With the wagon packed with necessities, they set out on a challenging journey. Their pampered horses struggled and needed human help to get the heavy wagon through the snowy mountains. The family often stayed in homes left open, sometimes with food on the table by other fleeing families. At one point, a cow from the small herd they were driving turned and ran back toward home. They waited as their father Wilhelm went to find her. His pursuit and return took 3 days and when he reappeared, the group could hear the Russian Army behind them. Their journey took six weeks to complete. Safely arriving, Marianne and her family found shelter with her uncle on his farm, near Stuttgart, Germany where they set up living in an outbuilding and working the land. It was especially hard for her mother who was unaccustomed to domestic work but excelled in fine needle work. Marianne and her brothers were able to complete their schooling there.

Marianne met a young Minnesota GI, Harold Johnson Sr. when she was about 18 and with her father’s consent they were married. In time, the war ended, and Harlod was shipped home with his outfit.

Marianne had to cross the Atlantic by ship alone, terribly seasick and heavily pregnant. Her cabin mate carried food to her because she was not well enough to go to the dining room.

After she arrived, the young couple lived for a time with Harold’s mother. After Harold Jr. was born, they moved to their first home near downtown Minneapolis.

In those early years Marianne began to help with finances by cleaning houses. Eventually she learned typing and shorthand. She did secretarial work at Animal Fair, a toy manufacturer in Chanhassen, MN. In time, she found work with Systems Management Inc. as their office manager. Among her other duties she would represent the company by attending business meetings in Chicago, IL. One of her additional interests was in serving the city of Excelsior as a Police Reservist.

Marianne and her second husband, Karl (Dutch) Diehl would visit friends in the Grantsburg area and found it very appealing. Eventually they purchased some acreage and painstakingly built their own home. Marianne resigned her job and moved here, while Karl would come home on weekends.

They decided to purchase their first German Elkhound, “Toby” and settling in, Marianne again sought employment. She worked for the Continuing Care Center as a dedicated caregiver, and then the U.S. Bank in Grantsburg as a receptionist where her welcoming “smile” greeted us as we arrived.

When Karl decided to remain in the Twin Cities, Marianne found herself alone again. She became active in trap shooting and there she met and made new friends. Among those friends she met Gary Hess of Grantsburg. Eventually, they decided to marry. At last Marianne had the loving support and companionship she sought.
After Gary’s death from cancer, Marianne lived on in their woodland home, feeding the birds and watching wild creatures that frequented their yard.

During her adult life, she enjoyed fishing and excelled in hunting and trap shooting. One of her greatest loves and loyalties were to this country, America, which gave her safety and freedom, which she had learned to value in such a difficult way. She was a devout believer since childhood, and she enjoyed the warm fellowship of New Hope Lutheran Church.

When her health deteriorated, she left her beloved home and entered Continuing Care Center, where she was grateful for reliable and loving supportive care.

She departed this world for her eternal home on Tuesday evening August 15, 2023.

She is preceded in death by her father, Wilhelm Butz; mother, Else Butz of Germany and her brother, Wolfgang Butz of Canada.

Her survivors include her son, Harold (Barbara) Johnson Jr.; granddaughter, Andria Sheets; great-grandson and great-granddaughter, of Seattle; and a niece, Anne Miller of Ontario, Canada.

Marianne was a beloved and cherished friend. Blessed be her memory.

Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, September 29, 2023 at 2:00 PM at New Hope Lutheran Church, Grantsburg.

Arrangements were entrusted to Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home. Online condolences can be made at www.swedberg-taylor.com.