Bernice Johnson

Bernice Beatrice (Abel) Johnson, 99, of Hawley, MN, formerly Pelican Rapids and Detroit Lakes, passed away on Monday, June 12, at Hawley Senior Living under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley.Bernice was born September 19, 1917, in Leonard, ND, to Bert and Amanda (Ganz) Abel. She was raised in Leonard, ND, until the age of 15. Then her family moved to Vergas, MN. She attended school in Pelican Rapids for two years. She returned to Davenport, ND, and graduated from high school there.Bernice returned to Pelican Rapids and met Alvin Johnson. They were married October 6, 1940. They farmed in Dunn Township and raised three children. Bernice worked at Fair Hills Resort, Swan Drug, Loghaven Resort, all Pelican Rapids; Senior Nutrition Center and St. Mary's Nursing Home both Detroit Lakes. She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church of Pelican Rapids since 1940. She served as Sunday School Superintendent, a Ladies Aid officer, and worked with the youth of the Family League.Bernice loved to do work in her church and help other people. She loved to dance, cook and bake. In later years she found her greatest joy in sending birthday and anniversary cards to all her family members and several others. She had all dates written in a record book, but even up until her last days, she knew all the dates by heart and didn't even have to open her book. She loved to tell stories about her growing up years and she found joy in being with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.Bernice is survived by her son, Willard (Faye) Johnson, Detroit Lakes; her two daughters: Beatrice (Nolan) Young, Hawley, and Clara (Joe) Murphy, Audubon; grandchildren: Brian (Karla) Johnson, Lincoln NE, Kent (Pam) Johnson, Gretna NE; Keith (Denise) Johnson, Peoria AZ; Todd (Shana) Young, Detroit Lakes, Lisa (Eric) Lawson, Hawley; Heidi (Brock) Knutson, Hawley; Wade Erickson (fianc Trish), Detroit Lakes; Lanny Erickson, Lenny Erickson, both of Roberts, WI; 23 great-grandchildren; sister, Nellie Holm, Ulen, and sister-in-law Helen Abel, St. Cloud; several nieces and nephews.She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, brothers: Clifton, Clayton, Roy, Jesse, and Marshall; sisters: Lillian, Gertrude, Dorothy, Leona, Margaret and Jean.In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Hospice of the Red River Valley or Zion Lutheran Church.Visitation: Thursday, June 15, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. at Larson Funeral Home in Pelican Rapids. Visitation will resume one hour prior to the service at the church.Funeral Service: 11:00 a.m., Friday, June16, 2017, at Zion Lutheran Church on Franklin Lake, rural Pelican Rapids, Minnesota.Clergy: Pastor Dale PepelnjakInterment: Zion Lutheran Cemetery, rural Pelican Rapids, MinnesotaFuneral Home: Larson Funeral Home 304 3rd Street S.E. Pelican Rapids, MN US 56572 Bernice's Memorial Folder