‘Verna Johnson was born on August 6, 1922 on the family farm near Gully, Minnesota to John and Nellie (Melbo) Halvorson. She attended grade school in Gully and graduated from Fosston High School.
Verna entered nurses training in St. Paul following high school. She served as a nurse in the U.S. Army from 1944 to 1946, stationed at Rhoads General Hospital (Utica, NY) and Walter Reed Medical Center (Washington, DC). She was in the Reserves and was called back into service from 1950 to 1951 and was stationed at Fitzsimons Army Hospital (Denver, CO).
Verna had moved to Slayton in 1948 to work at the former Home Hospital. After completing her army duties, Verna returned to Slayton and began her 32 year long tenure as an RN at the newly opened Murray County Memorial Hospital.
Verna was united in marriage to Edgar W. Johnson on September 26, 1952 in St. Paul, Minnesota. They made their home in Slayton and were blessed with the birth of daughter Diane on January 3, 1956. Edgar passed away on March 30, 1989.
Verna was an active member of Christ Lutheran Church; served for 21 years as service and education chairman of the Murray County Cancer Society; and was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary Erwin March Post 64 of Slayton for 61 years.
Verna moved to Watertown, MN in 2007 to live with her daughter Diane. She was a member of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church. Verna enjoyed spending time with family and friends, traveling, reading, and gardening. Dogs were always an important part of the Johnson family. Verna took great joy in our adoption of “Cuddles” – the only dog we ever had that was small enough to sit on her lap.
Verna passed away peacefully with family present on Sunday, January 11, 2015 at Elim Home in Watertown.
Verna is survived by her daughter Diane Johnson, sister Stella Halvorson, brother Norman Halvorson, sister-in-law Joann Halvorson and several nieces and nephews. She is also survived by Edgar’s half-brother Daward (“Rocky”) Johnson and his wife Peggy. She was preceded in death by her husband Edgar, parents, siblings Howard Halvorson and Myrtle Halvorson, and several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.
Funeral Services: 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, January 21, 2015 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Watertown. Visitation was Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. prior to the service at the church. Interment with Military Honors was at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, Minnesota at 2:00 pm.