Bristow, OK – Edna Laveran Johnson was born March 6, 1936 to Raymond and Lyla Martinson in Thief River Falls. She departed this life January 29, 2024 in Bristow, Oklahoma at the age of 87 years.
She came from a large family. Edna and her siblings, Leroy, Curtis, Larry, Joyce, Irene, Shirley and Sharon, really did walk to school.
Edna Martinson and Russell Johnson were united in marriage on February 6, 1954. Being blessed with three children: Russell and Johnnie, who were born at Fort Campbell, KY, while Russ was in the military, and Carol who was born in Blue Earth. In 1959 Edna and Russell set out to build a life in California. Russell passed away on April 6, 1976.
Edna lived in Lockford, CA until 2021 when she moved to Oklahoma with her daughter and son-in-law, Carol and Ron. Edna had been a two-year Bristow, OK area resident.
Growing up on a Minnesota dairy farm instilled in Edna a strong work ethic. She provided for family and self with a twenty-three-year career at Saint Joseph’s Hospital in Stockton, CA as a Licensed Vocational Nurse, as well as owning a home cleaning service which she operated for twenty-five years. Edna’s ability to be resilient lent to success of work and home life balance.
She was a long-time member of International Foresters. Edna spent her leisure time crocheting and working puzzles. She also enjoyed being a grandmother.
Edna is survived by two children, son, Johnnie Johnson of California and Carol Noviskie and husband Ron of Oklahoma; one sister, Joyce Wilson of Minnesota; seventeen grandchildren, nineteen great-grandchildren, eight great-great-grandchildren, as well as two great-great-grandchildren on the way.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband of twenty-two years, Russell; one son, Russell Lee Johnson; three brothers, LeRoy, Curtis and Larry; three sisters, Irene, Shirley and Sharon.
Edna lived a full life. She had many happy memories of her life as a child on the farm. Edna will be greatly missed.
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