Luella Johnson

Johnson, Luella M., Age 94, of Scandia, devoted Mom, Grandmother, and Great-Grandmother, passed away peacefully on September 16, 2011. She was born on March 21, 1917, to Axel and Albertina Magnuson. She grew up with her 5 sisters, at their farm home in Scandia, Minnesota. Their family spoke Swedish at home in the early years, and she remained fluent in Swedish throughout her life. Luella graduated from high school in Stillwater, and worked at the Curtis Hotel in Minneapolis. On September 20, 1941, Luella married Wendell Johnson, also of Scandia. Luella moved with Wendell to Florida and Indiana during his service in the Army Air Corps in World War II. Luella and Wendell came home to Scandia to live, establish Wendell's law practice, and raise their three children. As a child and throughout her 94 years, Luella's church was very important to her. She was baptized, confirmed, and married at Elim Lutheran in Scandia, was active in women's groups, sang in choir from the time she was a teenager until in her late seventies, quilted, and was a part of a befrienders group that focused on today's social issues. Luella and Wendell helped buy the land for Johnson Park in memory of their much loved son, Barton, who died in Vietnam in 1968. They wanted their church to have a place for families and children to relax and play, right in town. Mom was an artist who worked in many mediums. She painted with oils, decorated cakes, knit beautiful sweaters, scarves, and afghans, sewed clothes for her kids and others, painted ceramics and Swedish horses, made quilts, and raised beautiful flowers. Luella and Wendell travelled throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe, and spent many great winter months in Venice, Florida. Luella and Wendell lived in their home in Scandia until 1995 when they moved to the Scandia Cottages to spend their sunset years. In July, 2010, she moved to assisted living at Vindagau View in Chisago City. Mom hung on to life for 94 years and 7 months because she enjoyed it so much. She passed away at Parmly Transitional Care Center on September 16, 2011, from two types of cancer. Luella is survived by her daughters and their husbands, Karen and George Chapin, Wendy and Nick Wojtowicz. Mom had five grandchildren and their spouses whom she cherished: Adam and Jacqueline Wojtowicz, Stephen and Michele Chapin, Dana and Brenna Wojtowicz, Tara and Michael Duffy, Joel and Meghan Chapin. She is also survived by her nine great grandchildren, Aaron, Jacob, and Jordan Wojtowicz, Danielle and Tyler Chapin, Bodee and Brooks Wojtowicz, and Josephine and Amanda Duffy. Mom is also survived by her sister Ruth, her sisters in law, Carrel Wensman, and Mignon Johnson, her brother in law Harold Johnson, her nephews and nieces and their families, many devoted friends, her dear friend Florence, and the caregivers who have been so very kind and loving to her this past year. Funeral service 11:00 AM, Thursday, September 22 at Elim Lutheran Church, 20971 Olinda Trail North, Scandia. Visitation 5-8 PM, Wednesday at Mattson Funeral Home, 343 North Shore Drive, Forest Lake. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at church. Interment at Elim Cemetery. Memorials preferred to Elim Lutheran or to the church's Barton Johnson Park.

Funeral Home: Mattson Funeral Home 343 North Shore Drive Forest Lake, MN US 55025

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Previous Events

Visitation
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Visitation
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Service
Thursday, September 22, 2011
cemetery
Thursday, September 22, 2011

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