RuthAnn Johnson, 71

RuthAnn Johnson, 71, Osakis, passed away on Saturday, May 22, 2010 at Douglas County Hospital in Alexandria.

RuthAnn was born July 17, 1938 in Benson to Clifford and Evelyn (Ellingson) Swenson. She graduated from Benson High School in 1956. She first worked at the Jennie-O Turkey plant, and it was here that she met the love of her life, Orville Johnson. They were married on July 18, 1959.

Ruth worked in many different types of jobs throughout her lifetime. She was an aide at a nursing home in Excelsior and then worked in retail sales at a K- Mart before joining the staff at a Learning Tree Childcare center. She also worked for Jewelmont, a jewelry manufacturing company for a time before being hired by Prudential Insurance, where she did clerical work until her retirement. In 1987, Ruth and Orville moved to Palm Harbor, Florida to enjoy the warm weather, returning to Minnesota in 2005 to live in Osakis.

Ruth enjoyed life and had a variety of hobbies. She liked to travel, read and looked forward to snowmobiling each winter. She was always game to go out fishing whenever the opportunity arose. She liked to crochet and made many beautiful projects for her family and friends. She also enjoyed her doll collection. Blessed be her memory.

Ruth is survived by her husband of 50 years, Orville Johnson of Osakis; her children, Valerie (Bruce) Arnott of Elk River, Bradley (Lisa Cochran) Johnson of Zimmerman, Angela (Brad) Gaulrapp of Sauk Centre and Charlotte (Carl) Hirte of Osakis; nine grandchildren; brothers, Verlin (Eileen) Ellingson of Inver Grove Heights  and Curtis (Lynette) Swenson of Madelia; sister-in-law, Birdie Swenson of Willmar; many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and a brother, Donald Swenson.

Funeral services for Ruth will be held Wednesday, May 26 at 11 a.m. at Osakis Lutheran Church with the Rev. Ron Calvert officiating. Interment will be at Cloverleaf Cemetery in Willmar. Honorary pallbearers are Stephanie and Gregory Gaulrapp, Carl “CJ” and Nathan Hirte and Danielle Johnson. Active pallbearers are James Arnott, Jennifer and Adam Thomas, Brianna and Aaron Johnson and Carl Hirte.

Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church.

Arrangements are with Roy-Hetland Funeral Home in Osakis; www.royhetland.com.

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Tags: ruthann johnson, obituaries, johnson

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