Florence B. Johnson

Florence B. (nee Birkeland) Johnson, age 93, passed away peacefully on September 9, 2020 at Northstar Manor, Warren, MN, surrounded by her loving family.

Florence was born on January 8, 1927 to Anton “Tony” and Elise “Elsie” Birkeland. She was baptized on February 27, 1927 in Kirkebo Church in Perley, MN and later confirmed. As a child, her family moved often and she attended many schools. After high school graduation, she began working at Wild Rice Electric Cooperative in Mahnomen, MN. On October 16, 1948, Florence and Carl F. Johnson were married. They were blessed with four children -Lovie, Scott, Karlene, and Brian- and eventually settled in Warren.

Florence began working as a bookkeeper with PKM Electric Cooperative in 1967 and retired in 1989. She was a gifted seamstress and knitter. She made many wonderful items, and a fond memory is the wool mittens she knitted for her children every winter. She had a special talent for crochet, making baby blankets for grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She crocheted hundreds of prayer shawls for her church, Our Saviors Lutheran. She had a passion for genealogy and was able to visit relatives in Norway in 2004. She was delighted to have everyone home for Christmas and made it so very special with her baking, meals, and gracious hosting.

She was kind, patient, loving, responsible, smart, and supportive to her family, always providing comfort and guidance. In 1999, she was strong and victorious over a cancer diagnosis. She continued to be strong after Carl passed on December 12, 2004, living independently until age 90.

She will be greatly missed and will be lovingly received in heaven.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Carl; sister and brother-in-law, Eleanor and Elwood Griffith; sister, Audrey Heiraas; brother, Oscar Birkeland; and son-in-law, Paul Wages.

She is survived by her children: Lovie (Chuck) Graham of Warren, MN, Scott (Sherry) Johnson of Thief River Falls, MN, Karlene Wages of Coon Rapids, MN, and Brian (Carol) Johnson of New Brighton, MN; grandchildren, Janna (Mike Swenson) Graham, Amanda (Andy) Wruck, Tami (Stephen Roper) Johnson, Daniel (Tabitha) Johnson, Deija (Nick Conde) Wages, Mitchell (Kristen) Johnson, and Nathaniel Johnson; great-grandchildren; Annelise, Courtney, Spencer, Caden, Logan,Cameron, and Magnus; her great-great-grandchildren, Hailey, Alex, Carl; her sister, Elaine (Dennis) Forsell; and sisters-in-law, Lucille Birkeland, Betty Johnson, and Cheryl Johnson.

Memorials in Florence's memory are preferred, and may be directed to
the Warren-Alvarado-Oslo Education Foundation.

A Private Family Graveside Service was held on Monday, September 14, 2020, in Greenwood Cemetery, Warren, where she will be laid to rest alongside her husband.

A time to gather and celebrate Florence's life will be held in the Spring/Summer of 2021.