Laverne Johnson

LaVerne Froysland Johnson was born on June 15, 1921 in rural Audubon and lived on various farms in the depression. She was educated in country schools, Lake Park Junior high and graduated from Audubon High School in 1939. She worked in a local grocery store to help finance her further education. In 1942 she graduated from St. Luke’s Nursing School in Fargo and received her registered nurse degree. OB supervising in Fargo and labor room supervising in St. Paul, were her first years employment.

On April 27, 1943 she married lieutenant Floyd M. Johnson in Colorado Springs and for two years traveled stateside with him. During that time she was employed in Colorado Springs and Mineral Hills, Texas.

Their three children are Vicki (Dick) Gunness and David Johnson, Fargo and Mark Johnson (Linda) Mount Vernon, WA. There are two granddaughters, Jenni (Andy) Higgins and their three daughters, Ailey, Marin and Silje and Sarah (Winston) Dutchin and their children, Luke and Samuel of Washington and one sister-in-law, Arlis.
Her non-biological family consists of Tom and Sally Nelson, Twin Valley, MN and their seven children and families.

Preceding her in death was her husband, Floyd Johnson, parents, three brothers, twenty-four aunts and uncles, and thirty-five plus cousins, and her best friend, Florence (Rick) Moore.

Writing was her passion and she leaves volumes of empty books she filled and periodicals for posterity. For twenty years she was the family care giver for family & relatives.

She was involved in almost every facet of her local church and also on the District level.
All of this was undergirded by the friendship shared with two District Presidents; Dr. Loyal Tallakson and Dr. Nelson Preus and wives. They represented a safe and solid ground on which to travel. Audubon, Minnesota and its community and church members gave her confidence and support for her future endeavors.