Pearl Johnson

Pearl Alice Fatland was born October 18, 1921 in Fargo, ND, the daughter of Lynnschiold and Mabel (Knutson) Fatland. Her mother died at an early age and Pearl moved with her father to Bismarck, ND. Eventually Pearl was brought to Brandon, MN where Edwin and Gulborg Severson raised her. Pearl attended country school in rural Brandon and later graduated from Central High School in Alexandria. She then attended the Northwestern Hospital School of Nursing. She became a Registered Nurse and began wok at St. Luke?s Hospital in Alexandria. She later worked as a private duty nurse. Often Pearl was called in to St. Luke?s to provide hospice care for dying patients. Pearl was joined in marriage to Mayo Johnson on September 22, 1946. The couple made their home in Alexandria where they raised four children. Pearl retired from nursing to be a full-time mother at home. Pearl was a woman of faith. She rejoiced in all creation. Pearl was concerned for others and gladly offered prayers for the well being of anyone in need. She was a servant of her church. She applied her cheerfulness to whatever work she was asked to do. For many years Pearl served in the church library, maintaining the books, adding new and donated books and reviewing books. Pearl enjoyed sewing and doing handwork. She was known for her cooking and baking. She often provided baked goods for neighbors and friends. The staff at First Lutheran Church looked forward to her caramel rolls. Pearl also enjoyed bird watching and working in her flower garden. Pearl also liked to travel and go on family vacations. Pearl was very proud of her Norwegian heritage. Twice she and Mayo traveled to Norway. She also worked on tracing her genealogy. Pearl could speak and write the Norwegian language. She taught classes in Alexandria for people wanting to improve their Norwegian language skills. Pearl enjoyed visiting with people and loved it when she discovered someone who could forst�r norsk. Pearl?s family was very important to her; she loved her children and was very proud of them. At age eighty-seven she traveled to California to see her daughter, Cathy, get married. She loved spending time with her grandchildren, caring for them and doting on them. For over twenty years Pearl battled lymphoma and continued winning her battles until she developed leukemia. Pearl died at the age of eighty-eight years. She was preceded in death by her husband, Mayo Johnson; one brother, Lynn Fatland; and two sisters, June Cole and Viryl Magnuson. Pearl is survived by two sons, Gregory and wife, Linda Johnson, of Burnsville and Michael and wife, Carol Johnson, of Rochester; two daughters, Cathy and husband, Ed Ricardo, of Walnut, CA and Caryn and husband, Roger Rosengren, of Garfield; eight grandchildren, Katrina (Matthew) Mouser, Hannah (Ryan) Rooney, Ruth Rosengren, Sofia (Joel) Pettigrew, Amanda (Jerad) Johnson, Aaron Johnson, Lisa (Nathan) Hansmeier and Alexandra Johnson; and four great grandchildren, Ahlea Mouser, Micah Mouser, Kendall Hansmeier and Sullivan Rooney. A funeral service was held Saturday, March 27, 2010 at First Lutheran Church in Alexandria. Reverend Sherry Billberg was the officiant. Interment followed in the Kinkead Cemetery. Casket bearers were her grandchildren Katrina and Matthew Mouser, Hannah and Ryan Rooney, Ruth Rosengren, Sofia and Joel Pettigrew, Amanda and Jerad Johnson, Aaron Johnson, Lisa and Nathan Hansmeier and Alexandra Johnson. Arrangements were with the Anderson Funeral Home.