Fern Jewell Johnson was born on December 27, 1928 in Slayton, Minnesota to Clifford and Eleanor Bentzin Frisvold. Fern was baptized and confirmed at Modum Lutheran Church in rural Slayton. She attended Country School District #89 and graduated from Tracy High School. She then attended Augustana College in Sioux Falls, SD. Fern graduated from Lamberton Teachers Training and taught school for four years in the rural schools of Murray County. On June 30, 1953 she and Elmer Axel Johnson were married at Modum Lutheran Church. Following their marriage they farmed the family farm in Lake Sarah Township until 1985 when they moved into Garvin, MN. Fern cooked at the Shetek Lutheran Bible Camp for 20 years. Elmer passed away on April 20, 1990. Fern remained in Garvin until 2001 when she moved to Roseville, MN to be near family. Fern passed away at her home on Sunday, February 9, 2020 at the age of 91. Fern was active in her church having taught Sunday school, held various jobs in the Women’s Organization and also served as Church Treasurer. Fern served as Clerk for Lake Sarah Township for 10 years and was an Election Judge for 25 years.
Survivors include her three children, Elaine Johnson of Roseville, MN, Doris Johnson of Minneapolis, MN, and William Johnson of Minneapolis, MN, two grandchildren, Liza Johnson and Denis Johnson, two sisters, Ruth Koehly of Chisago City, MN and Mary Christian and her husband, Darrell of Garvin, MN, one sister-in-law, Lorraine Frisvold of Slayton, MN, and many nieces and nephews and their families. She was preceded in death by her husband, Elmer, brother, Clifton Frisvold and one brother-in-law, Wayne Koehly.
Funeral Services will be held at the Shetek Lutheran Ministries Bible Camp (Dakota Dining Hall on Keeley Island) rural Slayton, MN on Friday, February 14, 2020 at 12:00 p.m. with Rev. Paul Christan officiating. Pianist is Jean Larson. The pallbearers are David Christian, Jim Christian, Bruce Frisvold, and Brian Frisvold. Interment is at Bethany Lutheran Cemetery in rural Slayton.
Visitation will be one hour prior to the services at the church on Friday.
