Eleanor Johnson

Eleanor Lavina Ness Johnson passed away at Knute Nelson in Alexandria, MN on September 9, 2011. Eleanor was born to Ella and Lars Ness on Sept. 24, 1920 and grew up on a farm near Morris, Illinois. During World War II she served her country as a Rosie the Riveter, assembling Corsair planes in Aurora, Illinois. She married Robert V. Johnson on August 28, 1946. She graduated from Lutheran Bible Institute in Minneapolis, MN in 1947. Pastor and Eleanor Johnson served Lutheran parishes in Wausa, Osceola, and Wakefield, Nebraska for thirty-five years. In 1984, they retired to Lake Ida near Alexandria, MN. Pastor Johnson preached in many Alexandria area Lutheran parishes. Pastor and Eleanor helped organize the Retired Pastors and Spouses Fellowship for area Lutheran pastors. She also helped establish the New Horizons Grief Support Group at Anderson Funeral Home. Eleanor played organ preludes at Nelson Gables Chapel every Sunday for the past 3 � years. She loved Scrabble and Hardanger embroidery. An avid Nebraska football and Twins baseball fan, Eleanor led Nelson Gables fans in the Twins fight song before every game. Eleanor is survived by her five children: Ruth Johnson (William Lydecker) of St. Peter, MN, Sharon Johnson of Alexandria, MN, Robert (Janet) Johnson of Rochester, MN, Russell (Rachel) Johnson of Stanton, NE, and Cynthia (Charles Leonard) of Blooming Prairie, MN. Grandchildren include Brita (Adam deMalignon) and their children, Ruby and Milla, Joel Johnson, Karin (Steven Torrey) and Christopher Leonard (Barbara Leonard Guy), David (Toni) Prochaska and their son, Matthew, John Prochaska and Dana Johnson. Eleanor is also survived by her sister, Dorothy Norman and her brother, Russell Ness. Eleanor was preceded in death by her husband, Robert V. Johnson, her sisters, Bernice Olin and Ruth Fink, her brothers, Lloyd Ness and Kenneth Ness, a grandchild, Michael Robert Johnson, and a great grandchild, Quinn Robert deMalignon. Memorial Services will be held at Calvary Lutheran Church, Alexandria, MN, on Tuesday, September 13, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. with visitation one hour before the service.