Joanna H. Johnson

Joanna H. Johnson, 79, of Clear Lake, died Friday, May 4, 2012 at Rochester Methodist Hospital in Rochester, MN. Funeral services will be held 10:30 AM Monday, May 7, 2012 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 213 N. Pennsylvania Avenue with Pastor Kathy Graves officiating. Interment will be in Lincoln Township Cemetery. Visitation will be held 4:00 to 6:00 P.M. Sunday, May 6, 2012 at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Ave. Memorials may be directed to Trinity Lutheran Church. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.majorericksonfuneralhome.com Joanna was born September 30, 1932 in Mason City, the daughter of Lawrence and Olufine (Fister) Vermedal. She was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church, Mason City, where she was a life-long member. Joanna attended grade school in Central Heights and graduated from Mason City High school. She worked at Gretchen’s Sweets and Houck Drug Store. Joanna married Marlin S. Johnson on January 21, 1954. She farmed with Marlin until they retired from farming in 2009. Joanna loved her family and friends, and spent much of her spare time doing things with them and for them. She had a laugh as big as her heart. Joanna loved to collect frogs, and her collection numbered in the thousands. She was proud of her heritage, was a member of the Sons of Norway, and enjoyed visiting her extended family in Norway, especially her cousins Magne and Reidun Brekke. Joanna loved to sing, and her favorite song was “You are My Sunshine“. She enjoyed playing cards, and she loved her pets. Joanna and Marlin enjoyed taking driving trips, and they kept a large garden. Joanna is survived by her husband, Marlin, of Clear Lake; two brother's-in-law, Amil Johnson, of Clear Lake and Floyd (Norma) Johnson of Clear Lake; nine nieces and nephews, Terry Vermedal, of Naperville, IL, Becky (Tom) Hall, of Mason City, Ric (Jean) Vermedal, of Mason City, Randy (Beth) Johnson, of Clear Lake, Julie (Stuart) Oltrogge, of Eagan, MN, Jackie Wilson, of West Des Moines, Mark Johnson, of Clear Lake, Kathy (John) Hendricks, of Minneapolis, MN, Karen (Dean) Jurgens, of Thornton, and grand and great-grand nieces and nephews. She is also survived by special friend, Sally Eichmeier of Clear Lake. She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Paul Vermedal and his wife Peg; sister-in-law, Francis Doran and her husband Harold; sister-in-law, Helen Johnson; brother-in-law Wally Johnson; and niece Karen Vermedal.

Cemetery:
Interment will be in Lincoln Township Cemetery.

Memorials may be directed to Trinity Lutheran Church.

Visitation:
Visitation will be held 4:00 to 6:00 P.M. Sunday, May 6, 2012 at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Ave.

Service:
Funeral services will be held 10:30 AM Monday, May 7, 2012 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 213 N. Pennsylvania Avenue with Pastor Kathy Graves officiating.