Joanna Johnson

    Joanna Helene Johnson, 79, of Clear Lake, died Friday, May 4, 2012 at Rochester Methodist Hospital in Rochester, Minn. Funeral services were held Monday, May 7, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Mason City with Pastor Kathy Graves officiating. Interment was in Lincoln Township Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to Trinity Lutheran Church. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.majorericksonfuneralhome.com

    Joanna was born Sept. 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 Jan. 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, Ill., Becky (Tom) Hall, of Mason City, Ric (Jean) Vermedal, of Mason City, Randy (Beth) Johnson, of Clear Lake, Julie (Stuart) Oltrogge, of Eagan, Minn., Jackie Wilson, of West Des Moines, Iowa, Mark Johnson, of Clear Lake, Kathy (John) Hendricks, of Minneapolis, Minn., Karen (Dean) Jurgens, of Thornton, Iowa, and grand and great-grand-nieces and nephews, and cousins. 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.
    Major Erickson Funeral Home & Crematory, Mason City, was in charge of arrangements.