Jean Johnson

Jean Ardelle Olson Johnson was born March 2, 1931, in Glenwood, Minnesota to Ted and Ella (Sorset) Olson. The family later moved to Brandon and Jean graduated in 1949 from Brandon High School. She then attended Minnesota School of Business in Minneapolis, Minnesota. After graduating, she was a secretary at the Northwestern Bell Telephone Company in Minneapolis.
On December 30, 1950, Jean was united in marriage to Raymond Johnson at Grace Lutheran Church in Brandon. The couple lived in Alexandria for a time and then moved to Brandon Township in 1955. In 1963, they took over the family farm operation and settled on the farm near Garfield, Minnesota.
Jean loved her family dearly and was a devoted mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Her excellent cooking and baking skills helped keep the family farm running smoothly. She loved to visit her neighbors and her family called her "the entertainer."
Jean was a member of East Moe Lutheran Church and served the church for more than 50 years as a Sunday School teacher, officer of Ladies Aid, singing in the choir, circle member, as well as serving church dinners. She used her musical and cooking talents being a faithful volunteer when needed.
She enjoyed flowers and birds. She loved to garden and can vegetables and was a member of the Brandon Garden Club for many years. Jean and Ray enjoyed playing Whist with their neighbors, friends and family. She will be greatly missed.
On Wednesday, July 19, 2017, Jean passed away at the age of 86, at the Evansville Care Campus in Evansville, Minnesota where she received loving care from the campus and Hospice of Douglas County.
Jean was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Ray- the love of her life; one brother, David Olson; sister-in-laws, LaVonne Anderson, Gudrun Johnson and brother-in-laws, Paul Anderson, Kenneth Johnson and Joseph Schiele.
Surviving her is her son, Mark Johnson of Garfield; three daughters: Lola (Loren) Backlund of Brooklyn Park; Susan (Frank) Foslien of Garfield; Gail (Chuck) Backes of Hernando, Florida, five grandchildren: Amy Jo (Chris) Sexton, Jill (Aaron) Anderson, Stacy (Steve) Hemming, Sara (Brendan) Reilly and Darren Foslien. She also has 12 great grandchildren: Dylan and Lauren Sexton; Brady, Ellie and Riley Anderson; Allison, Carter and Tyler Hemming; and Marissa, Benjamin, Jenna and Owen Reilly. Brother, Robert (Marlys) Olson; Sister, Betty Schiele, many nieces, nephews and friends.
A funeral service was held Saturday, July 22, 2017, at East Moe Lutheran Church of rural Garfield with Reverend Sarah Evenson officiating. Music was provided by Diane Alveshere, organist, Jill Anderson and Stacy Hemming vocalists. Readers were Amy Jo Sexton and Sara Reilly.
Interment followed at the East Moe Church Cemetery with Aaron Anderson, Darren Foslien, Steve Hemming, Brendan Reilly, Robert Olson and Chris Sexton as pallbearers. Mary Rossum and Renee Caye were honorary pallbearers.
Blessed be her memory.