Beth Johnson, 51

Beth A. Johnson, age 51, resident of rural Upsala, passed away Sunday, March 25, 2012 at St. Cloud Hospital.

A Celebration of Life will be held Friday, March 30 at 4 p.m. at Westwood Community Church in St. Cloud with the Rev. Steve Schoepf officiating. Burial will be at Word of Life Cemetery in Upsala. Casket bearers will be Leif Johnson, Tim Peterson, John Johnson, Bruce Johnson, Dan Swanson, Paul Brenhaug and Brian Johnson.

Visitation is Friday from 1 to 4 p.m. at the church in St. Cloud.

Beth was born June 28, 1960 in Alexandria to Wayne and Delores (Triebenbach) Olson. She grew up in Osakis and as a girl she loved riding her bike, spending time with her grandma, and going up north to grandpa’s lake place. Beth learned how to garden, cook and play the flute. She attended Osakis Public Schools grades K-12.

During those early years she knew she would grow up to be a teacher. Beth also loved participating in musical activities such as Concert Band, Flute Trio’s and Concert Choir. She also attended Osakis Lutheran Church, where she often played her flute for special music on Sunday mornings.

Upon graduating high school in 1978, Beth attended Fergus Falls Community College and graduated with an Associate of Art degree in 1980. While there, she participated in Jazz Band and Concert Choir. In the fall of 1980, Beth transferred to St. Cloud State University to complete her degree of Bachelor Science in Elementary Education. She graduated with honors in November 1982.

In 1988, Beth returned to her home town of Osakis to work at the high school as an aide. In 1989, she began teaching as a 5th grade teacher. She loved teaching 5th grade, especially math and American history. Beth continued to teach until 1994.

Beth was married to David Johnson on August 15, 1992 in Alexandria. Beth and David made their home just outside of Upsala for the past 19 1/2 years. The couple enjoyed restoring their old home together as well as spending time together tending to their gardens and yard. Beth enjoyed cooking, baking, sewing and being a homemaker.

In 2001, Beth and Dave were blessed with the arrival of Maggie Ann Roopa Johnson, whom they had the privilege of adopting from Hyderabad, India. In 2005, Zoe Linne Lucrecia Johnson joined the Johnson family from Ixtapa, Guatemala. Beth enjoyed many hours reading to and teaching their brown-eyed beauties.

She was a member of Word of Life Free Lutheran Church in Upsala, Lake Community Church of Alexandria and she was currently attending Westwood Community Church of St. Cloud. She also loved worship music and listening to Praise FM.

Beth is survived by her husband, David Johnson; daughters, Maggie and Zoe Johnson of Upsala; parents, Wayne and Delores Olson of Osakis; sister, Tracy (Marc) Rosenow of Grey Eagle; in-laws, Ralph and Ginny Johnson of Upsala; sisters-in-law, Sandra (James) Carlson of Staples, Karen (Fran) Koshenina of Upsala, Ingrid (Stu) Johnson of Upsala, Gretchen (Jon) Schaumann of Champlin; brothers-in-law, Paul (Nancy) Johnson of Staples, Steven (Brenda) Johnson in Upsala; seven nieces and eight nephews.

Beth was preceded in death by her grandparents, Gerald and Flavia Olson of Osakis, Fred (Martha) Triebenbach of Osakis; and mother-in-law, Margaret Johnson of Upsala.

Arrangements are with the Shelley Funeral Chapel serving Upsala; (320) 632-5242; www.shelleyfuneralchapels.com.

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