Myrna Johnson

Myrna Johnson, 95, Bismarck, formerly of Wilton, passed away quietly on April 11, 2010. Services will be held at 11:00 am Thursday at Sunne Lutheran Church, Wilton, with Rev. Paul Schauer officiating. Burial will be held in Sunne Lutheran Cemetery, Wilton. Visitation will be held from 9:00 am until 9:00 pm Wednesday at Eastgate Funeral Service, Bismarck. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. Myrna Alice Williams was born on July 15, 1914, to Elmer and Ethel Carver Williams, in Panora, IA. Her family then moved to North Dakota in 1918, settling on a homestead northwest of Wilton. She graduated from Wilton High School and worked at Woolworth’s in Bismarck. She met Arvid Johnson at his brother’s wedding where both were attendants. On September 27, 1936, they were married at the Methodist Parsonage in Bismarck. Together they worked as a team to run a farm and raise a family. They celebrated 60 years of marriage before Arvid’s passing temporarily separated them late in 1996. Myrna was full of life and energy right up to the very last day. Not only did she have great impact on her own four children, but on many others as well, through her dedication and work as a 4-H leader, and Sunday School teacher. She was well-known for her many passions in life, including crocheting, knitting, embroidery, church groups, Wilton Pioneers Activity Club, gardening, baking, and especially playing cards. She and Arvid enjoyed square dancing and travelling, often with other couples. They enjoyed trips to Hawaii, Mexico, Las Vegas, and numerous other destinations. Myrna was particularly fond of attending the Medora Musical every year as well. Myrna had a deep faith in God, serving the Lord in every way she was capable. Her greatest passion was her family. She was proud of all her family. When the grandchildren were young, it was rare for Myrna to not have at least one of them staying at the farm with her at any given time during the summer months. She taught them about gardening, crafts, and baking, while helping to instill a true sense of fairness and the value of hard work. Myrna is survived by her four children, Eldo Marilyn Johnson and Mavis Duane Olsen all of Mandan, ND, Archie Johnson, Bismarck, ND, and Marie Ralph Carter, Honolulu, HI. She is also survived by her nine grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, and four great-great grandchildren; her brothers-in-law, Rudy and Orville Speten, Wilton, ND, and sister-in-law, Lorraine Powell, Packwood, WA. She was preceded in death by her husband, Arvid; sister, LaVeryl; brothers, Harold and Gordon; daughter-in-law, Alice Johnson; and grandson-in-law, David Serrao. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Sunne Lutheran Church Building Fund or to a charity of your choice.

Myrna Johnson

July 15, 1914 - April 11, 2010