Rhodena "Ardath" Johnson

Rhodena "Ardath" Johnson, age 93, of Pierz, Minnesota, formerly of Columbia Heights, Minnesota, passed away on December 14, 2024, at St. Gabriel's Hospital in Little Falls.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11 AM on Monday, May 19, 2025 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Hillman, Minnesota with Pastor Kari Pancoast officiating. A visitation will be from 10 AM to 11 AM Monday at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate to your favorite charity in honor of Ardath or they suggest the Veterans or the Heart Association. Caring for Ardath and her family is the LeMieur Funeral Home of Pierz.

Ardath was born on February 11, 1931, in Boyd, Minnesota, to Rollie and Alma Runyon. Ardath met the love of her life, Gordon Johnson, when her twin brother, Rhodean, who was a friend of Gordon's in the Navy, suggested Gordon meet Ardath. Gordon and Ardath were united in marriage on March 14, 1953, in Clarkfield, Minnesota. They lived in South Minneapolis and had three children, Susan, Dean, and Cheryl. Eventually, they moved to Columbia Heights, Minnesota, and were there for 23 years. When Gordon retired, they moved to their cabin on Lake Sullivan near Pierz, Minnesota. They were snowbirds for several years in Mission, Texas. Gordon passed away in 1997 and Ardath remained at the lake until 2001, when she moved to Pierz, Minnesota. During her lifetime, Ardath worked at Minnetonka Moccasin, JC Penney, Gambles cafeteria, Fine Jewelry, and Snyders. She was a Cub Scout leader and was involved with her church and the Pulaski Lions Club. She enjoyed crafts, gardening, cooking for her family, sewing clothing, playing cards, dominos, and sequence. Above all, she loved spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She would always say, "Guess who was here today" and go on to tell how great of a time she had with family and friends stopping by. It was the highlight of her day.

Ardath is survived by children, Sue (Bill) Elliott of Lakewood Ranch, FL, Dean (Kathy) Johnson of Pierz, MN, and Cheryl (Gene) Osterberg of Coon Rapids, MN; nine grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Gordon V. Johnson; parents, Rollie and Alma Runyon; grandson, Michael Osterberg; sisters, Vesta Kaupang, Charlotte Quammen, Dorothy Hinz, Ruth Bebout, Marjorie Moen, Deloris Berg, Viola Jane Runyon; and her twin brother, Rhodean Runyon.