Jean Johnson, who turned 92 last week, died early on Sunday, August 11, 2019. She had been a resident at Villa Maria Nursing Home in Fargo, ND since 2016. Her funeral service will be held on Tuesday, August 20, 2019 at Faith Lutheran Church, Valley City at 1:30 PM. Burial will be in St. Petri Cemetery, near Nome, ND. Visitation will be held at the church beginning at 5:00 PM, Monday, August 19 and will continue until the prayer service starts at 7:00.
Jeanette Elaine (Anderson) Johnson was born August 6, 1927 to Adolph and Olga (Nelson) Anderson. She grew up in Nome, ND where they lived on her paternal grandparent’s farm. At the age of 11 her family moved to Valley City, ND. She attended school at the College Training School. Her parents moved back to Nome when she was 14; she stayed in Valley City where she lived at a rooming house for the first 3 months of her freshman year but then moved back to Nome.
Jean graduated from Nome HS as her class valedictorian, she was offered a scholarship to attend Concordia College but was not able to accept it. She met her future husband, Norman Johnson, while attending high school. Following graduation, she moved to Valley City where she got a job at the Rudolph Café; Norm followed her to Valley City. Upon his return from military service in WWII, Norm and Jean dated and were married on September 1, 1946. They lived and raised their family in Valley City.
Jean began working at the Credit Bureau in Valley City. She later went to work at Farmers and Merchants Bank, retiring from Dacotah Bank in 1994. She loved her work with the public and made many friends while working at the bank. She enjoyed greeting people as they came through the door and loved getting to know each person she met. She had a quick wit and was good at communicating acceptance of others. Following retirement, Jean went to work part-time for her son, Stan, as the Office Manager at Heartland Insurance Associates, Fargo.
Jean’s most treasured gift was her family. She loved spending time with them at the lake in Minnesota. She also enjoyed baseball/softball, swimming, bowling, dancing, snowmobiling, playing cards, quilting, crocheting, knitting and having coffee with friends. She loved to read to her grandchildren and enjoyed baking their favorite goodies. She loved music and sports, rarely missing an activity her grandchildren were involved in. She participated in choir and bell choir at her church; bible study with her friends at Faith Lutheran was dearly cherished.
Jean spent her last three years at Villa Maria in Fargo where she was lovingly cared for by what her family referred to as “her angels”. The staff were so kind to her, caring for her as she struggled with the loss of her memory. They became like family to her and she loved each one of them. She did her best to make them smile with her witty comments. She appreciated them greatly; the family extends their most sincere appreciation to each and every member of the Villa Maria Staff.
Jean is survived by her children: Norma Marsh (Scott Reese), Steve (Kim) Johnson, Stan (Pam) Johnson, Scott (Deb) Johnson and Sue (Rod) Schauer; 10 grandchildren: Sonya Saari, Kelly McMahon, Chuck Johnson, Jeremy Johnson, Katie Johnson, Chad Johnson, Bridget Anderson, Cody Gregerson, Rachael Schauer, Sarah Schauer; her 12 great-grandchildren; one brother Gary W. Anderson; and one sister Renee J. Kennedy.
She was preceded in death by her husband, two infant sons & her sister, Cheryl Snell.
Lerud Mathias Funeral Home in Valley City is assisting Jean’s family with arrangements. An online guestbook is available at www.lerudschuldt.com