Agnes Johnson

Agnes Johnson, age 86, a resident of Pelican Rapids died on Monday, December 8, 2014 at the Riverfront Manor in Pelican Rapids, Minn.Agnes Mathilda Jeanette (Brickson) Johnson was born December 12, 1927 to Clara (Grani) Brickson and Bernt Brickson near Lake Park, Minn.Agnes was baptized at Solum Lutheran Church in Lake Park and confirmed at Atlanta Lutheran Church near Ulen, Minn.Agnes, the youngest of eight, grew up during the great depression. She attended country school at District 113, Spring Creek Township. When she was in her teen years, the family moved to Detroit Lakes, Minn. Agnes started drawing by kerosene lantern when she was very young. She enjoyed drawing Mopsie, president faces, and movie stars such as Clark Gable. Her interest in art was put on hold when she married the love of her life, Virgil Lee Johnson, on September 7, 1947 at First Lutheran Church in Detroit Lakes. To that union, Kathryn, Steven, Glenda, and Paul were born.Virgil and Agnes, together with Virgil's brother Everett, started Johnson's Funeral Home and Johnson's Furniture Store in Pelican Rapids. Agnes enjoyed working side-by-side with Virgil until his death in 1986. Shortly after Virgil's death, Agnes was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. She faced the disease with humor and grace and never complained. She always put her family first and helped them accept her disease. It was during this time she began to draw again and eventually paint, completing first painting at age 60.Agnes enjoyed spending time with her family and grandchildren and loved decorating, baking, shopping, shoes, art, and dancing. She taught many of her children and grand children how to dance in her kitchen and living room to the music of her favorite records and CDs.She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church where she taught Sunday School, and was an active member in Circle, choir, and WELCA. She is survived by her children: Kathryn (Wallace)Erickson, Steven (Vicki)Johnson, Glenda (Robert)Michels, and Paul (Carole)Johnson; her sister Vivian Brickson and sistersin-law, Phyllis Brickson and Athrelda Brickson; grandchildren, Michael Erickson, Sara (Greg) Weis, Kristin (Chris) Warner, Joshua Johnson, Joseph (Lindsay) Johnson, Jason (Sadi) Michels, Gretchen (Justin) Hovland, Andrew Johnson, Trudy Johnson; great grandchildren, Jack Erickson, Erick Weis, Drew Weis, Carson Weis, Alexis Michels, Lauren Michels, Trenton Michels, Carlie Hovland and numerous nieces and nephews.She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, six siblings; Beatrice, Margaret, Clifton, Ernest, Kermit, Arvid; two grandchildren, twins Jessica and Leah Johnson; one great grandchild, Aubrie Janet Johnson.Visitation: Friday, December 12, 2014, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m.at Larson Funeral Home, Pelican Rapids, MN. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church.Funeral Service: 2:00 p.m., Saturday, December 13, 2014, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Pelican Rapids, MN.Clergy: Pastor Philip JohnsonBurial: Central Lutheran CemeteryFuneral Home:Larson Funeral Home304 3rd Street S.E.Pelican Rapids, MNUS 56572