Helen Johnson

Helen Irene Johnson, died on Sunday, July 8, 2012 at Grand Arbor in Alexandria, Minnesota. Helen was born on September 26, 1916, in LaGrand Township, Douglas County, Minnesota the daughter of Sam H. and Ida (Oines) Johnson. She grew up on a dairy farm on McKay Ave and graduated from Central High School in 1935. She attended Moorhead State Teachers College, and taught in country schools for eight years. In 1945, she began teaching in Alexandria, and taught second grade at Washington and Lincoln Schools for the next 30 years. In addition to teaching Helen cared for her mother and her Uncle John Oines. She loved wildflowers, gardens and spending time mowing her lawn with a push mower ? which she did into her eighties. Helen?s faith was very important to her. She joined the First Congregational Church in 1931, and was a member all of her life. She was also a life member of the Douglas County Historical Society, member of Retired Educators, and belonged to the Sons of Norway. Helen volunteered at Knute Nelson in the Coffee Shop for over twenty years and over 3000 hours. She is preceded in death by her parents and sister, Marie Kostreba. Helen is survived by her nieces and nephews: Jerome (Rita) Kostreba of Farwell, Mary Anderson of Hopkins, James ( Anne) Kostreba of Sartell, Margaret ?Yasha? (Helge) Sandburg of Rainer, Washington, Gene (Laurice) Kostreba of Avon, William Kostreba of Bowlus, and Julie (Robert) McGrath of Wyoming, MN; many great and great-great nieces and nephews. Memorial service will be held on Monday, July 16, 2012, 11:00 a.m. at the First Congregational Church in Alexandria. Burial will be at Evergreen Cemetery. Arrangements are with the Anderson Funeral Home.