Marian Alma Johnson

Marian Johnson, age 99, died Friday, March 14, 2025, at the Evansville Care Campus.

Marian Alma Johnson was born March 10, 1926, in Evansville Township, MN, the daughter of Julias and Alma (Braun) Rohloff. She had eight siblings, seven who grew to adulthood. Marian grew up on a variety of farms that her parents rented. At the age of 11, the family moved to the farm on Pelican Lake. She walked to school and worked hard but had fun times and happy memories. She graduated from Evansville High School in 1944, the first in her family to graduate.

During World War II, while not on active duty, Marian gave her time for her country. She moved to Seattle, WA and worked a variety of jobs at Boeing Aircraft. Marian was honored when she was chosen to appear in the Ken Burns World War II documentary to represent the civilians who worked for the war effort.

When the war ended, Marian returned to Minnesota and married Alvin Johnson on May 12, 1946. To this union, four daughters were born. Marian was a devoted wife and mother, and even though she moved to many locations, she always made great friends wherever she lived. She was a wonderful seamstress and sewed many dresses for her girls. She was also a great cook and baker.

Marian was of German descent, but made the best lefse and flatbread and of course, was widely known for her doughnuts. She loved to dance and had fond memories of the square dance club. In her spare time, she created beautiful hardanger embroidery doilies that she shared with all her relatives. Marian especially recalled when she and Alvin won the best costume during the Evansville Centennial Celebration in 1981.

Marian was a member of Faith Lutheran Church and was confirmed in Immanuel Lutheran Church in 1940. She taught Sunday School for ten years. She worked at the local grocery stores, was an election judge for many years and also worked for the Census Bureau. She volunteered countless hours to the church, Senior Citizens Club where she served as secretary and co-chairman of the annual Sr. Bazaar, sewed quilts and delivered Meals on Wheels. Even after Alvin’s death, she continued to volunteer at the Veteran’s Home.

She is survived by daughters, Nancy Lindberg of Evansville, MN, Sherrill Johnson of Fergus Falls, MN, Gail (Rod) Sommerfield of Mazeppa, MN, and Anita (Ron) Wencl of Ham Lake, MN; seven grandchildren; many great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband; parents, brothers, Jimmy, Edwin, Ted and Carl Rohloff; sisters, Ethel Olson and Gladys Vogt and Rosanne Bergman; granddaughter, Michelle Hanson and son-in-law, Darrel Lindberg.

A funeral service will be held Friday, March 21, 2025, at 2:00 PM, at Faith Lutheran Church in Evansville, with a visitation one hour prior to the service. Marian will be laid to rest next to her husband at Mound Grove Cemetery, Evansville, MN.

Funeral arrangements entrusted with the Glende-Nilson Funeral Home of Evansville.