Ann Laverne Johnson

Ann LaVerne Brown was born October 5, 1928 at Pine Lake, MN, the daughter of Vernie and Anna (Munson) Brown. She grew up at North Branch and graduated from high school at Cambridge, MN. Ann attended the Lutheran Bible Institute. On March 12, 1948 Ann was united in marriage to Allen Johnson at the Hammargren home in Spring Park, MN. The couple made their home in Minneapolis and later in Golden Valley. They were blessed with five children. When it was time to put her children through college Ann began working outside her home at Swanson & Associates. She worked there for about ten years. Ann and Allen maintained a summer home on Lake Mary near Alexandria, MN.In 1978 they made it their full time residence. In October 2011 Ann and Allen became one of the first residents of Grand Arbor in Alexandria. Ann?s faith and church life were very important to her. She was very active in her church in the Twin Cities and at First Lutheran in Alexandria. She sang in the choir, was a member of the Sweet Adelines, taught Sunday school and was active in the Ladies? Aid at church. She and Allen spent many hours volunteering to visit with the elderly and shut-ins from First Lutheran. They also served as hospice volunteers. Ann enjoyed sewing and scrap booking. She loved the outdoors. Camping with her family, fishing in the summer and winter and water skiing were some outdoor activities she enjoyed. She also spent time gardening, both flowers and vegetables. Ann appreciated her heritage and served as the family genealogist. Ann loved her family and loved being with them. She was great with her grandchildren and enjoyed looking after them. On Sunday, May 5, 2013 Ann Laverne died at the age of eighty-four years with her family at her side. Her parents precede her in death. Ann is survived by her husband of sixty-five years, Allen Johnson of Alexandria; her children, Steven Johnson and wife, Janice, Russell Johnson and wife, Mary, James Johnson and wife, Marilyn, Janet Budde and husband, Alcuin, and JoAnne Fagerstrom and husband, Thomas; grandchildren, Erica Johnson, Brent Johnson, Gregory Johnson, Melissa Mensen, Laura Johnson, Nathan Budde, Anna Grand, Lydia Budde, Lea Fagerstrom and Erik Fagerstrom; great grandchildren, Aidan Johnson, Zachary Johnson, Paige Budde, Peyton Budde, Kylee Boman, Ethan Boman, Beckett Grand and Riley Brookshire; and two sisters, Lorraine Roufs and husband Kenneth and Audrey Johnson and husband, Richard. A funeral service was held Wednesday, May 8, 2013 at First Lutheran Church in Alexandria. Reverend Marilee Bergerson officiated. Randy Morken and Dianne, Reuben and Dan Ristrom provided music. Casket bearers included all of Ann?s grandsons. Honorary casket bearers included all of Ann?s granddaughters. Arrangements were with the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria.