Betty Johnson

A private funeral service will be held for Betty Johnson at Pedersen Funeral Home. A public burial will be held at Vinger Cemetery in Donnelly at 3:30 p.m. following the service.

There will be a livestream of Betty’s service starting at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 15th, 2020. To view the service on the Pedersen Funeral Home website, scroll to the bottom of Betty’s page and click the link. The Old Number One will also be playing the livestream of the service during that time. Please join the family of Betty Johnson for a meal at The Old Number One after the burial.

While maintaining social distancing guidelines, we are now able to accommodate gatherings of up to 250 people. The use of face masks by attendees is required, and we will continue taking the necessary steps to keep our facility clean. For those who prefer or require continued precautions, webcasting and/or livestreaming is available in most situations.

Betty Johnson of Donnelly passed away peacefully at her residence on Sunday morning, October 11, at the age of 80. Betty was born on May 29, 1940 to Leona Jesse (William) and Ray Nils Johnson and raised in Morris. She was baptized in November of 1940 and confirmed in 1962 by Pastor Bunge at St. John’s Lutheran Church. She attended District 67, Pepperton Township and Donnelly Public Schools. She graduated from Morris High School in 1959. One night when Betty went roller skating, she met the love of her life, Clifford Johnson. They were united in marriage on the sunny day of June 16, 1962 and were happily married for the next 58 years. Throughout those years, they had three boys: Richard, Kevin, and Alan. They built their life and family on the local farm for over 50 years. She spent most of her days as a housewife helping with chores, farming, and taking care of the family. Later in her life, she worked as a food demonstrator and enjoyed the company and conversations of others during those days. Betty was also an active member of St. John’s Lutheran Church along with working with the ladies of the church.

Betty was known to be a social butterfly. While she enjoyed pets, animals, gardening, old music, and attending festivals, her favorite activities mainly included visiting with people, playing cards, square dancing, and impressing bystanders while dancing Polka with Cliff. She will be dearly missed as a wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend.

Betty is survived by her husband Clifford Johnson of Donnelly; her sons: Richard (Karen) Johnson of Morris, Kevin (Shelley) Johnson of Morris, and Alan (Karrie) Johnson of Osakis; her grandchildren: Justin (Brittany) Kratz of Wahpeton, Kristina Johnson of Grand Forks, ShayLynn Johnson of Wilmar, and Kalley Johnson of Sauk Rapids; her great-grandchildren: Kristopher Kratz and Knute Kratz; and nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, Leona Jesse (William) and Ray Nils Johnson; her sisters: Dorothy Achterling and Deloris Christians; and her brother Ray Alfred Johnson.

In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to Knute Nelson Hospice and The American Cancer Society.