Johnson, Josephine (Ennis, Mitchell) passed away on Monday, January 5th with her family at her bedside. On December 1st , Josephine had happily and alertly celebrated her 100th birthday with family and friends. Josie was born in 1908 in Bruce, SD, the daughter of a pharmacist. After growing up in Volga, SD and attending elementary and secondary schools there, she graduated from South Dakota State University in 1930 with a teaching degree. Her first teaching assignment brought her to Milbank, SD where she met her husband, Tom. They married in secret for fear of losing their jobs in 1931. Tom and Josie moved to Duluth, MN where they raised four children. Josie was active in the theatre and Tom served as principal of Duluth East. After Tom's death in 1959, with three children in higher education, Josie moved with her son, Scott, to Wayzata and restarted her teaching career at Orono High School in English. Later she obtained a Masters in Library Science and held the position of Orono school librarian until her retirement. Subsequently, Johnny Johnson, a former student at Milbank sought her hand with weekly bouquets of roses, and, after marriage, they moved in retirement together to Colorado Springs near her sister, Audrey, in Boulder. They were married for sixteen years until his death in 1991. Josie possessed grace and charm that proved a magnet to others as they eagerly sought her friendship and loved her non-judgmental style. Her sense of humor and loving nature to all around her served as the hallmark of her personality. As a mother, she raised her children as teenagers and young adults without a partner, as a grandmother she forged tender and memorable relationships with all, and as a great-grandmother, she welcomed toddlers with a smile and open arms. She is preceded in death by her husbands, Tom and Johnny; her son, Joel; and grandson, Alex. She is survived by three children, Jim (Sandy), Ann (Todd) Davidson and Scott (Sheila); fifteen grandchildren; and ten great-grandchildren. Services will be held at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, 4439 W. 50th St., Edina, MN at 1:30 pm on Fri., Jan. 9th. Memorials preferred to either St. Stephen's church or Jones Harrison Home in Minneapolis. Private interment in Duluth, MN.
This obituary was originally published in the Star Tribune.
I am very sad to hear of Josie's passing. She was a wonderful wife to my father Laurence Johnson. She made his last days happy. She was a wonderful women and I loved her very much. Please to the family my heartful regets for you loss.
Pamela Larreau {Johnson}
Pamela Larreau
August 31, 2009 | Colorado Springs, CO
We wish to send our prayers to the family of Josie. I loved when she would let my sister and I stay with Johnnie and her when we were little in Skyway. She was a loving and very dear to my heart. I am deeply sad for the loss of such a wonderful person. She will be forever in my heart. Her granddaughter Katina Sutton, Colorado.
August 31, 2009
To Jo's Family,
Our Sincere Sympathy to all of you on the loss of your Mother. I taught for many years with Jo at Orono High School and we became fast friends. We arrived on the OHS scene the same year and our friendship clicked right away. She was the most loving, gracious and accepting person I have ever known.
I visited your Mother at Jones- Harrison on a few occassions and she was always the same "Jo" no matter when or where she was.
Cal and I are sorry that we...
Pat & Cal Headley
January 10, 2009 | Plymouth/Bonita Springs,, MN
I am grateful we got to see aunt Dodo this past Spring , thanks to Scott and Shelia, she was a special kind and caring Aunt to me as a child and I wlll always remember that , a special lady . you all took good care of her and that is a blessing
May she rest in peace.
Mary Grace M. Tebeau
mary Grace Tebeau
January 09, 2009 | St. Charles, IL
We wish to express our condolences to the family of Josephine Johnson. I vividly recall the day she came to Orono to apply for an English teaching position. We shared a number of common experiences and backgrounds. She was soon on our staff. I had known her husband, Tom, as a fellow high school principal. I recall that Scott was her primary concern at that time. Over these many years we exchanged visits in Colorado as well as Minnesota. She was a truly remarkable lady and will be missed by...
Wendell Tollefson
January 08, 2009 | Longmont, CO
We are so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family. Celebrate the many wonderful years of memories she has left for all to treasure.
Eddie Garcia & Betty Alvarez
Betty Alvarez
January 08, 2009 | Tampa, FL
I have been blessed to know Josie's daughter Ann, granddaughter Amy and great granddaughter Edie, three beautiful and amazing ladies. What a legacy Josephine has created!! I know she will be missed.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to you all.
Messina Family
January 07, 2009 | Wichita, KS
Josie's grace, acceptance, understanding and beauty was unsurpassed. I will treasure the many long conversations, trips to Dairy Queen, weekly and sometimes daily visits, her sense of humor, class and charm. What a great life she lived and a wonderful addition to God's arms in heaven. She will live on as a treasure in my heart forever.
Sheila Mitchell
January 07, 2009 | Minneapolis, MN
Josie was such a kind, wonderful and caring woman. We are sorry for your loss and consider ourselves so fortunate to have had her in our lives the last ten years.
Cherrie Zitzlsperger, Jones-Harrison Assisted Living Staff
January 07, 2009
