Jean Johnson

Jean Linnea Evangeline Johnson was born May 24, 1930 in Nora Township, Pope County, MN. Her parents were Reuben and Gerda (Borg) Johnson, and she was the youngest of five children. As a young child, Jean helped with the barn chores, yard work, gardening and walked the fields picking mustard and yellow thistle. She attended School District #98 in Ben Wade Township in a one-room schoolhouse up until eighth grade. Later in life while working full time, she took evening classes to earn her high school diploma, a special accomplishment for her. From the age of eight through her teen years, Jean and her sister, Beatrice, enjoyed singing together, often in Swedish, for several of the local churches. In the spring of 1953, Jean moved to north Minneapolis, where her friends had gone for employment. For the first two years, Jean did housework and worked as a nanny for several Minneapolis families. She began 43 years of employment at Minnesota Rubber in 1955 and retired in 1998. Jean accepted Christ as her Savior at age 12. When she moved to Minneapolis, she made First Covenant Church her home church until 1975 when she became involved in the new church planting of Plymouth Covenant Church. She was there with her strength, commitment and dedication to bring the new project to fruition. Her work with Sunday School, Covenant Women and choir meant much to her. She put her whole self into preparing and delivering food to shut-ins in the area. Her trip to Sweden with the Covenant Girls choir and visiting the areas her ancestors came from was a real treat for Jean. In May 2005, Jean moved to Alexandria to be near family and home community folk. She loved her Clearwater Suites family where she lived for three years. Jean passed away peacefully at Knute Nelson Memorial Home, in Alexandria, on Sunday, November 8, 2009. Jean will always be remembered for love of God, awe of His creation, noticing the beauty in every created thing. Her joy of life, kindness, and generosity, especially to her nieces and nephews and their offspring will be fondly treasured. Jean is survived by her sister, Beatrice Gerda Rosengren of Alexandria; niece, Ramona Billmark, nephew, Roger and wife, Caryn Rosengren, niece; Janet and husband, Gary Swanson, niece; Karen and husband, Ronald Kraft, and niece Linda Johnson; and their families. Jean was preceded in death by her parents, Reuben and Gerda Johnson; brothers Warren (infant) Johnson, Reinhold and wife, Finetta Johnson and Warner Johnson; brother-in-law, Victor Rosengren; and great-nephew, Benjamin Billmark (infant). A funeral service was held Thursday, November 12, 2009 at the Covenant Church in Alexandria. Rev. Rol Boyce and Rev. John LeVahn officiated. Interment followed in the Ben Wade Cemetery near Farwell, MN. Casket bearers included Roger Rosengren, Gary Swanson, Ron Kraft, Matt Mouser, Ryan Rooney and Seth Swanson. Arrangements were with the Anderson Funeral Home.