Arlene Elna Johnson

Arlene Elna Johnson died May 15, 2025 under Sanford Hospice House care. Arlene was surrounded by the love of her Lord and her family and friends.

Arlene was born in Barrett, MN on May 18, 1932 to Emil and Emma (Oakstrom) Johnson (Swedish Johnson). She grew up on the family farm, went to Barrett country school for grades one through eight and graduated from high school in Morris, MN in 1950.

Arlene moved to Fargo, ND, after graduation and worked as billing clerk for SuperValu warehouse and then Blue Cross Blue Shield of ND. On a trip back to Barrett for a 29th of June Celebration, she reconnected with a country schoolmate, Odell Johnson (Norwegian Johnson) and a great love blossomed. In 1954, Odell graduated from Concordia College in May, Arlene and Odell married in June and they started the Jacobson Rug Cleaning business. Odell did the cleaning and Arlene was the office manager. They had this business until 1965.

Arlene and Odell were all about church, family and service to others. They were active members of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Fargo for about 55 years and still attended services there until their deaths. Arlene volunteered with F-M Heart Health Program, Bethany Homes, taught Sunday School and was a BLC Women’s board member. Arlene was a homemaker, mother to five children, grandmother to 10 and great grandmother to 6. Baking and caring were her favorite “jobs”.

Arlene and Odell enjoyed camping trips when their children were young, bus and train tour trips after their retirement and a memorable Alaskan cruise with their son, Dr Mark Johnson, and his family.

Arlene moved to One Oak Place, after Odell’s death. She made many wonderful friends and memories here.

Arlene was preceded in death by her parents, Emil and Emma; her brother, Gordon; her infant sister, Margaret; her beloved husband, Odell; and son, Mark and her son-in-law Robert.

Arlene is survived, loved and missed by her daughters, Marge, Sylvia (Kory), (Mary), Nancy (Todd) and Jennifer (Andrew); grands and great grands, Melissa (Steven), Trent, Kjersti (Isaac), Britta (Nathan), Kara, Travis (Kristina), Sarah (Salvatore), Joshua, Nathan, Emily (Christopher) and Elsie, Myra, Barrett, Tessa, Aurora and Olivia.