Cover photo for Gertrude Johnson's Obituary
Gertrude Johnson Profile Photo
1918 Gertrude 2004

Gertrude Johnson

February 13, 1918 — September 11, 2004

OBITUARY:     Gertrude Elaine Johnson, 86



Residence:     Breckenridge, MN



Birth:          February 13, 1918 - Forman, North Dakota



Death:          September 11, 2004 - St. Francis Home, Breckenridge, MN



Funeral:     Friday, September 17, 2004 - 10:30 A.M.

St. Mary's Catholic Church, Breckenridge, MN



Officiating:     Father Kenneth Popp



Visitation:     Thursday, September 16, 2004 - 3:00 PM - 8:30 PM

Christian Mother's Rosary at 4:30 PM

Prayer Service at 7:00 PM officiated by St. Mary's Pastoral Associate, Darcy Troville

at Joseph Vertin & Sons Funeral Home, Breckenridge, MN

There will also be visitation Friday morning from 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM at the funeral home



Interment:     Calvary Cemetery, Wahpeton, North Dakota



Survived by:     Her Son: Larry (Rafaella) Johnson, Seattle,WA

Her Daughter: Sharon Larson, Breckenridge, MN

Her daughter-in-law: Patty Johnson, Alexandria, MN

7 Grandchildren: Kelly Larson, Chad Larson, Cody (Sally) Larson, Corey (Trisha) Larson, Tate (Jodi) Johnson, Brett Johnson, and Trent Johnson

3 Great Grandchildren: Madelyn Larson, Sophie Larson, Isaak Johnson

1 Sister: Marie Lock of Forman, ND

Two brothers-in-law, two sisters-in-law and many nieces and nephews





Preceded by:      Her parents: John and Margaret Even

Her husband: Lambert L. "Kelly" Johnson

Her 3 sons: James D. and Gary R. Johnson, and infant son, John

4 brothers: Ralph, Wilfred, Lawrence, and John Even

2 sisters: Veronica Torgeson and Doris Remme



History:     Gertrude Elaine Even was born to John Baptiste and Margaret (Ebersviller) Even on a farm near Forman, ND on Friday, February 13, 1918 during a raging blizzard. In her family of seven dark-haired siblings, she stood out as the only brown-eyed blonde youngster. As the youngest sister, she loved to tag after her older siblings and see their fancy clothes reserved for dates. She "always had to stay home and wash the dishes." Her other chores were to help gather eggs, feed the pigs and herd the milk cows. Sometimes she helped churn butter in a five gallon wooden churn. Then she could go with her mother "to town" to sell it. In decent weather, Gertrude walked two miles with her siblings to Dunbar Country School. During inclement weather they "piled" into a buggy for the trip. In wintertime their father drove a team of horses hitched to a bobsled. Gertrude was always frightened when the horses floundered in the deep snow.

Once at school, she found that she liked recess best, followed by reading. She loved the times when studies were put aside for play practice. Then the families would gather at the school for a Basket Social and to watch the play.

One of Gertrude's favorite childhood memories was the ice skating parties on the farm pond. Her father would push her across the ice on a wooden chair because she was too little to skate. Afterwards her mother served hot cocoa in a delicate cocoa pot and cups. When Gertrude was finally old enough, she was allowed to attend dances at Smith's Barn where the Big Bands played. She loved the music and became a very good dancer, which led to her meeting her future husband.

Gertrude was always grateful to her gentle-voiced mother for teaching her fine needlework and honing her cooking skills. These skills enabled her to work at NDSCS in the food preparations. During this time she met Lambert "Kelly" Johnson. He was drafted into the Army and they were married October 31, 1942 while he was home on leave. The couple moved to Alliance, NE, while he was in paratrooper's training. When he left for advanced training at Fort Benning, GA in September, 1943, Gertrude rode a bus to Omaha and then walked eight blocks during the night with her bag to catch a train back to North Dakota. Gertrude moved to her mother's home in Cogswell, ND. In March, 1944, she gave birth to her daughter, Sharon. They continued to live in Cogswell during the war. When Kelly returned home the family moved to Wahpeton, ND, where Jim, and a set of twins, Larry and Gary were born.                     During the years many hundreds of people enjoyed her cooking specialties of fried chicken or pot roast or turkey with all of the trimmings. Her baked goods of apple and pumpkin pies and chocolate chip cookies have kept more than one child from starving. Her most memorable baking usually took place on Fridays when she made cinnamon or caramel rolls. The number of her children's playmates doubled in anticipation of the gooey delights.

Gertrude also served in the capacity of cook for the inmates of the Richland County Jail while her husband, Kelly was Sheriff. More than one inmate commented on the "good grub."

Gertrude was a member of a homemaker's club and enjoyed learning the latest food, sewing, and plant tips. She was well-known for the outfits and embroidered pieces that she completed. Her houseplants were also exceptional.

One of Gertrude's greatest joys was her family. She enjoyed times at Lake McDonald and the 4th of July outings at her son's home. She enjoyed traveling with her grandchildren or niece, nephew and sister across the U. S. and Canada. She also enjoyed her train rides and visits in Seattle. Her motto was, "Bags packed, let's travel." More recently Gertrude especially treasured the visits of her great-grandchildren which she shared with other residents of St. Francis Home.

Gertrude was an avid reader, often finishing three or four Agatha Christie or Mary Higgins Clark mysteries in a week. She instilled a love of reading in her children and grandchildren with trips to the local libraries. As a resident of St. Francis, she was rarely seen without a book in hand. Gertrude was no stranger to physical pain. She survived four bouts with cancer and several fractures and strokes. She also knew the emotional loss of the deaths of two sons and her parents within two years. Her strong faith in God carried her through these events. She attended Mass regularly and enjoyed the friendship of the members of Catholic Daughters, Christian Mothers, Mission Circle and the VFW Women's Auxiliary. She enjoyed making rosaries for the St. Mary's Parish youth and embroidering and making teddy bears for the mission store in St. Cloud.



Pallbearers: Gertrude's grandchildren: Kelly Larson, Chad Larson, Cody Larson, Corey Larson, Tate Johnson, Brett Johnson and Trent Johnson


















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