Edna Olivia (Olson) JOHNSON

JOHNSON, OLSON, LUND, STEVENS, SATHER, ODOM, DACK, KNUDSON, PAYNE, HELGESON, LISTUL

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 6/19/2011 at 01:49:52

June 20, 1900 -- September 20, 1998

Edna Olivia Johnson

Edna was born on June 20, 1900 near Thor, Iowa to parents John and Mary Anna (Lund) Olson. She was baptized at Ullensvang Lutheran Church of Thor, Iowa on July 15, 1900. She came to Clarkfield, Minnesota with her parents, sisters, and brothers and the Sam Lunds and Ova Olsons, arriving on March 7, 1901. Edna was confirmed at the Clarkfield Lutheran Church by Pastor O. T. Storaasli on June 29, 1915. She attended Country School District #29, Clarkfield High School and also Madison Normal Teachers Training. She taught country school and parochial school. She was also a cook at the Clarkfield Care Center, hospital and Clarkfield High School.

Edna married Henry E. Johnson of Garvin, MN on April 25, 1925 at the Clarkfield Lutheran Church. This union was blessed with nine children: Mary Lou, David, Henry, James, Dona, Lois, Richard, Elizabeth, and John. Henry and Edna settled on the farm southwest of Clarkfield. She was very active in her church and community. Edna was involved in many areas of service. She was a Sunday School teacher, and was active in Ladies Aid and the Women's Choir. She also, was a 4-H leader, helped to start the Senior Citizens in Clarkfield, was a Charter member of the Clarkfield Auxiliary, and involved in the Garden Club and Study Club. Edna was a loving and caring person. She found time for others, including her husband who needed her devoted care for 11 years following a stroke. She enjoyed reading for people. She did fancy work, including knitting and crocheting, and enjoyed giving much of it to her family. She loved her family and grandchildren and enjoyed visiting with them all.

Edna and Henry moved to Clarkfield in 1960. She remained in her home until 1990 when she moved to the Valhalla Apartments and then in February of 1996 she entered the Clarkfield Care Center, where she passed away Sunday evening, September 20, 1998 at the age of 98 years and three months.

Edna is survived by her children: Mary Lou Stevens of Hazel Run, MN; David (and Jeannine) of Tucson, AZ; Henry (and Jane) of Riverside, CA: James (and Barbara) of Thousand Oaks, CA; Dona (and Kermit) Sather of Dawson, MN; Lois (and Harvey) Odom of Katy, TX; Richard (and Sylvia) of Riverside, CA; Elizabeth (and Don) Dack of Clarkfield and John. She is also survived by 26 grandchildren, 49 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Henry in 1962; granddaughter Mary Lynn Knudson; grandson Joshua Burke; daughter-in-law Luella Johnson; son-in-laws Arthur Knudson, Jr. and Roger Stevens; brothers Otis Payne, Clarence and Arnold; sisters Selma, Jennie, Laura, Cecelia; and two foster siblings, Carmody Helgeson and Evelyn Listul.

Blessed be the memory of Edna Johnson.

Visitation: Wednesday, September 23, 1998, 7:00-9:00 p.m., Prayer Service 8:00 p.m., Lynner Funeral Home

Funeral Service: Thursday, September 24, 1998, 2:00 p.m., Clarkfield Lutheran Church

Officiant: Pastor Wayne Mensing

Organist: Karen Donner

Vocal Music: Cindy Alness, "Softly and Tenderly"
Camilla Wenberg, "Precious Lord, Take My Hand"

Casketbearers: Steven Back, Wesley Sather, Leslie Sather, Thomas Sather, Ronald Stevens, Scott Dack

Honorary Casketbearers: all (other) grandchildren

Final Resting Place: Clarkfield Lutheran Cemetery, Clarkfield, Minnesota

http://jhlynner.com/obits/470.htm