1917
Evelyn
2012
Evelyn Johnson
November 9, 1917 — December 17, 2012
Evelyn Johnson, 95, of Fergus Falls passed away peacefully Monday, December 17, 2012 at the PioneerCare Center in Fergus Falls.
Evelyn Winnifred Johnson was born on November 9, 1917 in Fergus Falls, the first of six children born to Esther (Roehl) and Severt Myron. She was baptized at Trinity Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls.
Evelyn grew up on the family farm in Orwell Township, attended the District 222 eight-grade country schoolhouse. Graduation from eighth grade, held at the Fair Grounds in Fergus Falls, included all of the country schools in Ottertail County. At age ten, Evelyn and her younger sister Vivian joined the Orwell 4-H and became very involved in project and monthly, parent-chaperoned, meetings at the Town Hall. She began ninth grade at the Fergus Falls Junior-Senior High School located on Cavour and Union. She graduated from Fergus Falls High School in 1935.
Following high school graduation, Evelyn moved from the farm to Fergus Falls, rented a room in a family home while she worked at the Ottertail County Court House as a secretary for caseworkers. In the evenings, she attended the business school located in Fergus Falls.
On December 12, 1937 she married Ralph W. Johnson in Minneapolis, Minnesota with Pastor Anton E. Sjolund performing the ceremony. Evelyn and Ralph made their home and raised a family in Fergus Falls and were members of First Lutheran Church. Their courtship began when Ralph, also a Fergus Falls resident and a well-known bass soloist, invited Evelyn to attend his Orphean Male Chorus Spring Concert. During their long marriage, their only separation was in 1943 when Ralph was drafted into the army during WW II and Evelyn on her own with their young children.
Over her lifetime, Evelyn was involved in many church activities. After her family became members of First Lutheran Church on South Court Street, they became a part of the rebuilding of the church after the 1919 cyclone. In childhood, she attended Sunday School, was confirmed, and a member of the young women's group. After starting a family, she taught Sunday, Tuesday School and Vacation Bible School. Evelyn was a charter member of Lutheran Stars, was active in Ladies Aid and circles and held various offices. Through the years, she participated in many Bible study groups and the Bethel Series.
In addition to church activities, Evelyn was a longtime hospital volunteer at Lake Region Healthcare and was involved in the development of the Otter Tail County Historical Society museum and a volunteer for many years. Evelyn was a longtime member of the Pebble Lake Ladies Golf League and traveled around the country with Ralph playing golf. One trip included attending The Masters Golf Tournament in Augusta, Georgia.
Preceding her in death were her husband, Ralph [1913-2005]; her parents Esther [1896-1997] and Severt Myron [1878-1952]; her two sisters, Marjorie Myron [1928-1929], and Vivian Myron Curl [1919-1971]; four brothers-in-law: Allan Adelsman [1916-1985], Wallace Russell Johnson [1911-1970]; Roger Jernstrom [1927-2011] and Stuart Curl [1918-1999]; and two sisters-in-law: Jeanette Johnson [1921-2012] and Helen Myron [1927-1998]; and former son-in-law Frank Arnold [1933-2009].
Survivors include her children: son Myron (Norma) Johnson of Naples, FL; daughters Ann Johnson Arnold of Vancouver, WA and Jean Johnson of Lynnville, TN; five grandchildren: Tyler (Gretchen) Johnson of Birchwood, MN; Brent (Andi) Johnson of Hugo, MN; James (Sherrie) Arnold of Vancouver, WA; Mary Arnold (Russell) Dirkse of Tualatin, OR; and Kristina Soderberg of Gilbert, AZ; 16 great-grandchildren: Nicole, Derek, Morgan, Garrett, Abriel, Zachary A., Christopher, Daniel, Joseph, Benjamin, Nathan, Samuel, Paul, Zachary S., Nicholas, and step-great grandson Clayton; one sister: Mary Ann Jernstrom of Omaha, NE; two brothers: Warren Myron of Vermillion, SD, and Douglas (Doris) Myron of Mt Vernon, OH; a sister-in-law Elizabeth "Betty" Adelsman of Fergus Falls; three aunts: Mildred Wilde of Fergus Falls, Gladys Splittstoesser of Fergus Falls, and Helen Geske of Dallas, OR; cousins, Warren & Lorna Johnson of Fergus Falls; and many nieces and nephews.
The family prefers memorials to First Lutheran Church, 402 S Court St, Fergus Falls, MN 56537; phone (218) 739-3348
Memorial Service: 2 PM Saturday, June 29, 2013, at First Lutheran Church, Fergus Falls
Visitation: One hour prior to services
Clergy: Rev. Jennifer Rose and Chaplain Harry Olson
The Glende-Nilson Funeral Home of Fergus Falls is handling arrangements.
Evelyn Winnifred Johnson was born on November 9, 1917 in Fergus Falls, the first of six children born to Esther (Roehl) and Severt Myron. She was baptized at Trinity Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls.
Evelyn grew up on the family farm in Orwell Township, attended the District 222 eight-grade country schoolhouse. Graduation from eighth grade, held at the Fair Grounds in Fergus Falls, included all of the country schools in Ottertail County. At age ten, Evelyn and her younger sister Vivian joined the Orwell 4-H and became very involved in project and monthly, parent-chaperoned, meetings at the Town Hall. She began ninth grade at the Fergus Falls Junior-Senior High School located on Cavour and Union. She graduated from Fergus Falls High School in 1935.
Following high school graduation, Evelyn moved from the farm to Fergus Falls, rented a room in a family home while she worked at the Ottertail County Court House as a secretary for caseworkers. In the evenings, she attended the business school located in Fergus Falls.
On December 12, 1937 she married Ralph W. Johnson in Minneapolis, Minnesota with Pastor Anton E. Sjolund performing the ceremony. Evelyn and Ralph made their home and raised a family in Fergus Falls and were members of First Lutheran Church. Their courtship began when Ralph, also a Fergus Falls resident and a well-known bass soloist, invited Evelyn to attend his Orphean Male Chorus Spring Concert. During their long marriage, their only separation was in 1943 when Ralph was drafted into the army during WW II and Evelyn on her own with their young children.
Over her lifetime, Evelyn was involved in many church activities. After her family became members of First Lutheran Church on South Court Street, they became a part of the rebuilding of the church after the 1919 cyclone. In childhood, she attended Sunday School, was confirmed, and a member of the young women's group. After starting a family, she taught Sunday, Tuesday School and Vacation Bible School. Evelyn was a charter member of Lutheran Stars, was active in Ladies Aid and circles and held various offices. Through the years, she participated in many Bible study groups and the Bethel Series.
In addition to church activities, Evelyn was a longtime hospital volunteer at Lake Region Healthcare and was involved in the development of the Otter Tail County Historical Society museum and a volunteer for many years. Evelyn was a longtime member of the Pebble Lake Ladies Golf League and traveled around the country with Ralph playing golf. One trip included attending The Masters Golf Tournament in Augusta, Georgia.
Preceding her in death were her husband, Ralph [1913-2005]; her parents Esther [1896-1997] and Severt Myron [1878-1952]; her two sisters, Marjorie Myron [1928-1929], and Vivian Myron Curl [1919-1971]; four brothers-in-law: Allan Adelsman [1916-1985], Wallace Russell Johnson [1911-1970]; Roger Jernstrom [1927-2011] and Stuart Curl [1918-1999]; and two sisters-in-law: Jeanette Johnson [1921-2012] and Helen Myron [1927-1998]; and former son-in-law Frank Arnold [1933-2009].
Survivors include her children: son Myron (Norma) Johnson of Naples, FL; daughters Ann Johnson Arnold of Vancouver, WA and Jean Johnson of Lynnville, TN; five grandchildren: Tyler (Gretchen) Johnson of Birchwood, MN; Brent (Andi) Johnson of Hugo, MN; James (Sherrie) Arnold of Vancouver, WA; Mary Arnold (Russell) Dirkse of Tualatin, OR; and Kristina Soderberg of Gilbert, AZ; 16 great-grandchildren: Nicole, Derek, Morgan, Garrett, Abriel, Zachary A., Christopher, Daniel, Joseph, Benjamin, Nathan, Samuel, Paul, Zachary S., Nicholas, and step-great grandson Clayton; one sister: Mary Ann Jernstrom of Omaha, NE; two brothers: Warren Myron of Vermillion, SD, and Douglas (Doris) Myron of Mt Vernon, OH; a sister-in-law Elizabeth "Betty" Adelsman of Fergus Falls; three aunts: Mildred Wilde of Fergus Falls, Gladys Splittstoesser of Fergus Falls, and Helen Geske of Dallas, OR; cousins, Warren & Lorna Johnson of Fergus Falls; and many nieces and nephews.
The family prefers memorials to First Lutheran Church, 402 S Court St, Fergus Falls, MN 56537; phone (218) 739-3348
Memorial Service: 2 PM Saturday, June 29, 2013, at First Lutheran Church, Fergus Falls
Visitation: One hour prior to services
Clergy: Rev. Jennifer Rose and Chaplain Harry Olson
The Glende-Nilson Funeral Home of Fergus Falls is handling arrangements.
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