Marie Ida Johnson, 94

Marie Ida Johnson, 94, of Karlstad, MN, went to her eternal home to meet her Lord and Savior at her home on October 16, 2019. Marie was born on February 28, 1925, at home in Stafford Township, Roseau, MN, to Emil and Carolina (Hetteen) Olson.  She was the fifth of five children.  Marie attended Malung School and graduated from Roseau High School in 1942.  Marie initially lived with her parents following graduation.  Later, she moved to Roseau, lived with three girlfriends, and worked as a bookkeeper at the co-op her brother, Lloyd, managed.  Marie married Lloyd Johnson on July 19, 1953, on her parent’s farm in Stafford Township.  They raised five children, Dean, Donavon, Dianne, Delroy, and Denise, on Lloyd and Marie’s farm in Springbrook Township, Karlstad, MN.  In 2004, Lloyd and Marie were named Kittson County Farm Family of the year.  When Marie was asked, ‘when were you saved’, her reply was, “I’ve always been saved.”    Mom always prayed.  When asked about her prayers she said, “Nothing fancy, but God heard.  He has blessed me and my family more than I could ever imagine.  My prayers have been answered, all my children are serving the Lord, and that is the best gift.”  Marie was a member of the Karlstad Assembly of God Church.  She served wherever she was needed, whether it be in the Nursery, Ladies Group, or kitchen.  She was hospitable to Pastors and their family or anyone who needed a meal, and would invite them to her home.  She enjoyed planting flowers, trees, growing a vegetable garden, and loved when all her children and grandchildren came “home” so she could cook and bake for them.  Lloyd and Marie made multiple trips to visit their children and grandchildren who didn’t live around Karlstad.  Marie enjoyed traveling to Hawaii, Israel, and Aruba, on a Missions trip, with her late husband, Lloyd.  She also said a highlight was traveling to Sweden and Norway with her niece, Elaine Elling.
Marie is survived by son Dean, Karlstad, MN; son Donavon (Ruth Ann), Grand Forks, ND; daughter Dianne (Steve) Jensen, Circle Pines, MN; son Delroy (Janet), Colorado Springs, CO; daughter Denise (Kurt) Aakre, Karlstad, MN; grandchildren Joshua, Jacqueline, Jacob, and Julia Johnson; Michael (Liane) Jensen; Melissa (Justin) Byers; Kathryn Jensen; Benjamin (Hannah) Johnson; Simon Johnson; JoAnna (Derek) Ghee; Jason Johnson; Calee Johnson; Adam (Shawna) Aakre; Alexis (Bennett) Uhler; great-grandchildren Grace, Anne, Sarah Jensen; William, Carter, and Jacob Byers; Hadassah, Samuel, and Ariella Johnson; Ashlyn Ghee; Landon, Mandie, and Levi Aakre, Layla Uhler; and many nieces, nephews, and their families.  She is preceded in death by her husband, Lloyd Johnson; parents, Emil and Carolina Olson; granddaughter, Ashley Aakre; brothers Lloyd Olson and Joel Olson; sisters Evelyn Elling and Harriet Olson.  The time has come for me to leave this life.  I have fought the good fight.  I have finished the race.  I have kept the faith.  Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day.  II Timothy 4: 7, 8
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His faithful servants.  Psalm 116:15
Celebration of Life Service will be held at the Karlstad Assembly of God Church on Friday, October 25, 2019, with visitation at 10:00 am and funeral service at 11:00 am.  Interment will be the Karlstad Cemetery, Karlstad, MN.  Pastor Nathan Johnson; Mary Johnson, Pianist; Music by Marie’s Family; Casketbearers, Marie’s Grandchildren; Arrangements by Austin Funeral Chapel of Hallock, MN; www.austinfuneralchapel.com
Thank you to our family and friends whose presence has made Marie’s Celebration of Life Service such a memorable day.  We are grateful for your prayers, thoughts, and memories you have shared.
The Marie Johnson Family