Leona Margaret Johansen

LEONA MARGARET JOHANSEN was born on August 13, 1922 to George and Louise (Krause) Doehle in Drammen Township, near Lake Benton, Minnesota. She was baptized and confirmed at the United Methodist Church in Lake Benton, and grew up on the family farm with her four siblings. She attended country school and graduated from Lake Benton High School in 1939, after which she worked on the farm. Leona was united in marriage to Leif Johansen on May 11, 1941 at the United Methodist Church in Lake Benton. Their union was blessed with 12 children and 45 years of life together. The couple farmed northwest of Lake Benton for many years. Leif died on September 18, 1987. Following his death Leona moved into Lake Benton. In 1989 she moved into the Benton Valley Manor apartments. In 1995, Leona was named “Outstanding Senior Citizen of Lincoln County”. In February of 2010 she became a resident of Sunrise Manor Nursing Home in Tyler, Minnesota, where on Friday, October 7, 2011 Leona passed away surrounded by her family at the age of 89 years, one month, and 24 days.

Leona was a lifetime member of the United Methodist Church in Lake Benton. She was active in the life of the congregation through singing in the choir for more than 60 years, teaching Sunday school and attending adult bible study, serving on the altar guild, in addition to various boards and committees. She enjoyed sewing, knitting, photography, and her large vegetable and flower gardens, which included over 200 varieties of irises. She could often be found baking and canning throughout the year. Leona especially enjoyed time spent with her family.

Leona is lovingly remembered by her 12 children, Curtis (Judy) Johansen of Lake Benton, Kenneth (Betty) Johansen of Lake Benton, Iris Guse of Orlando, FL, Dennis (Gwen) Johansen of Lake Benton, Darrel (Sandy) Johansen of Gilbert, AZ, Donna Higginbotham (fianc, Keith Meidinger, Sr.) of Jamestown, ND, Janelle (Cal) Weatherly of Flandreau, SD, Marilyn (Mark) Dietsch of Wichita, KS, Marlene (Tom) Brandt of Tyler, MN, Alan (Karen) Johansen of Currie, MN, Lorilee (Tim) Malecha of Dundas, MN, and Loren (Renee) Johansen of Bowling Green, KY; 40 grandchildren; 48 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great-grandchilden; sister, Phyllis Lyndgaard of Hendricks, MN, and twin sister, Laura Miller of Lake Benton; and many other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Leif; brother, Walter Doehle; sister, Norma Nielsen; two grandsons, Kenneth Johansen, Jr. and Baby Boy Johansen; and son-in-law, Stuart Higginbotham.