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| Ruby "Irene" Johnson, 92 |
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| Written by TRF Times |
 Greenbush - Ruby “Irene” Johnson, 92, of Greenbush, formerly of Thief River Falls and Strathcona, died Tuesday morning, March 6, 2012 in LifeCare Greenbush Manor at Greenbush.Funeral Services were held on Saturday, March 10 at Bethel Lutheran Church of Greenbush, with Pastor Mark Mathews, officiating. All of Irene’s friends, family and former students were considered her honorary casket bearers. Interment was held at Bethel Lutheran Cemetery. Irene Johnson was born Ruby Irene Braaten, the daughter of Thomas and Emily (Wallen) Johnson, on Jan. 24, 1920 in Huntly Township, Marshall County, rural Strathcona. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Faith. She graduated from Middle River High School in 1936. She attended Bemidji State Teachers College and graduated from a two-year course in 1938. She continued her education by attending several summer sessions at Bemidji to update her Teaching Certifications. She taught elementary in several rural schools. She taught at Gonvick, Thief River Falls and at Greenbush. During World War II, Irene worked at Boeing Aircraft in Seattle and also for the United States Weather Bureau, after receiving training at the Seattle Airport. She was stationed at Sexton Summit, Ore., and later Spokane, Wash., and then the St. Paul, airport. She returned to teaching in 1944 and taught until she retired in 1975. Irene was united in marriage to Clifford H. Johnson on Oct. 26, 1946 in Thief River Falls. They lived in Greenbush until 1950, when they moved to their farm near Strathcona. They sold the farm in 1997 and moved to Summerfield Place in Thief River Falls. Clifford died on October 8, 1999. Irene continued to live at Summerfield until July, 2009 when she moved to Oakland Park Nursing Home in Thief River Falls. In December, 2010 she moved to LifeCare Greenbush Manor in Greenbush. She is survived by her daughter, Randi Johnson of Brooklyn Park and her son, Dale Johnson of Holt; grandchildren, Brandon Johnson of Holt and Kristen Johnson of Brooklyn Park; sister, Hazel Larson of Seattle, Wash., and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; two brothers, Harold and Warren; and an infant grandson. Gieseke Funeral Chapel of Greenbush was in charge of funeral arrangements. A00003B2012MR14  |
