Obituary: Viola Johnson

Viola Emma Christina Johnson, age 94, of Worthington, died Wednesday, February 20, 2013 at the Good Samaritan Center in Windom, MN. She was born on July 3, 1918, in Lake Park, IA to parents, August and Rosa (Jacobsen) Schroeder. Viola was baptized on July 20, 1919 and confirmed on June 19th, 1958 at the Bethel Lutheran Church in Round Lake, MN. Viola grew up on the family farm and attended school in Ewington Township. She graduated on July 8, 1932. After her schooling, Viola worked for area farm families.

On December 10, 1942, Viola enlisted in the Women’s Army Corps in Minneapolis. She was sworn into the army on August 10, 1943 and was stationed in Wyoming, Georgia, Colorado, California, Australia and New Guinea. She was honorably discharged on September 4, 1945. After her discharge, Viola returned to the family farm, helping area families.

Viola was united in marriage on March 8, 1949 to Lloyd C. Johnson in Jackson, MN. After their marriage the couple made their home in Round Lake. Viola raised her family and worked for the Round Lake School District. The couple also purchased Lloyd’s Café in Round Lake. The café was eventually sold, and Viola worked for Sather’s in Round Lake as a printer until 1972. The couple then moved to Hastings, MN. While living in Hastings, Viola worked for Smead’s Manufacturing, Inc. for nineteen years, retiring in 1991. In 2004, Viola moved to Worthington, MN to be near her daughter.

Viola was a member of the First Lutheran Church in Worthington and the Round Lake American Legion where she received the distinguished membership for 60 years of membership in the American Legion.

Viola is survived by one daughter, Diana White, Worthington, MN; four sons, Byron (Pat) Johnson, Sioux Falls, SD; Dale (Jan) Johnson, Litchfield, MN; Dennis (Maren) Johnson, Windom, MN; Robert (Deb) Johnson, Hastings, MN; fifteen grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, three step great-grandchildren, two brothers, Walt (Maxine) Schroeder, Hastings, MN; Leslie Schroeder, St. Cloud, MN; and Evelyn Wendling, Round Lake, MN;

Viola was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Lloyd, on August 10, 1993, four brothers and one sister.

Visitation will be Thursday from 5 to 7 PM at the Dingmann Funeral Home in Worthington. Visitation will also be one hour prior to the service at the church.

The funeral service will be Friday at 11:00 AM at the First Lutheran Church in Worthington with the Pastor Richard Ricker officiating. Burial with full military honors will be in the Round Lake Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Round Lake American Legion or the First Lutheran Church in Worthington.

Tags: obituaries, services, johnson

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