Elsie Johnson

OBITUARY Elsie Marie Johnson was born on October 12, 1927 in Alexandria, MN, the daughter of Frank J. and Mary (Svondr) Kalina. She was baptized and confirmed into the Lutheran faith and graduated from Alexandria High School in 1944. Elsie taught country school at District #14 (Lake Mary Twp.) and Pocket Lake (Holmes City Twp.) She then furthered her education and received her Teacher?s Certificate from St. Cloud State College. Elsie continued teaching in Glenwood and Alexandria. On September 26, 1951, Elsie was married to Warren Johnson at the First Lutheran Church in Alexandria. Together they had two children, Mary and Walt. Elsie helped her husband with the NAC Cream Station, where she candled eggs and kept the books. She then was the bookkeeper for Warren?s wholesale fur business for many years. Elsie was a wonderful mother and grandmother. She always thought of others first and was a hard worker, ready to help with any chore. She had a kind heart and cherished time spent with children and grandchildren. Some memories from Elsie?s family include Elsie telling bedtime stories, gardening, and quilting, having a good sense of humor, and making time spent with her FUN. Other memories included Elsie walking her grandchildren to and from grade school, playing games along the way, sending goodie packages to her grandchildren for special occasions, and the smile she always wore. She was a long-term member of Calvary Church, where she taught Sunday school and supported missions work. Elsie M. Johnson died on Thursday, November 21, 2013 at Grand Arbor in Alexandria at the age of 86 years old. She will be missed by her family and friends. Elsie is survived by her daughter, Mary (Michael) Kessler of Carmichael, CA; son Walter (Lynn) Johnson of Alexandria; grandchildren Crystal Johnson of Rochester, MN, Joey (Brooke) Johnson of Big Lake, MN, Paul Kessler, and Benjamin Kessler, both of Carmichael, CA; brother Bennie (Marjorie) Kalina of Alexandria. She was preceded in death by her husband, Warren, brothers Robert, Wencil, and Frank B. Kalina and her sister Henrietta McCrory. A funeral service was held on Monday, November 25, 2013 at Calvary Lutheran Church in Alexandria with the Reverend Rollen Halvorson officiating. Amy Engel served as the organist and Patrick Kalina and Carrie Ahern as vocalists, accompanied by Margaret Kalina. Interment was in the Independent Bohemian Cemetery in Lake Mary Township with Darrel Kalina, Duane Kalina, Michael Kessler, Kenny Thurk, Paul Kessler, and Joey Johnson serving as pallbearers. Robert McCrory served as an honorary pallbearer. Memorials are preferred to the American Cancer Society. Arrangements are with the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria www.andersonfuneral.net