Barbara Johnson

Barbara Johnson, age 89, of Ortonville, MN, passed away on Thursday, March 10, 2022, at Fairway View Neighborhoods.

Memorial services will be held on Thursday, March 17, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at First English Lutheran Church in Ortonville, MN. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday. Pastor Denise Fossen will officiate the service and inurnment will be at Mound Cemetery in Ortonville.

The service will be livestreamed and recorded and will be available at the bottom of this page.

Barbara Joan (Gruse) Johnson was born on July 15, 1932, in Ortonville, MN, to Mahlen “Rummy” and Ramona (Alsaker) Gruse. Barb grew up in Ortonville and attended school there, graduating from Ortonville High School with the Class of 1950. Barb attended Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, MN, earning her degree in history. She started her teaching career in Marshall, MN, in 1954. There she met her future husband, Leonard Johnson. On August 4, 1957, Barb and Leonard were united in marriage. Two children, Brian and Anne, followed.

In 1996, Barb and Leonard retired to Ortonville and made the town their permanent home. Ortonville meant a lot to Barb, and she loved being back in her hometown. She volunteered for the Big Stone County Museum and for Citizens for Big Stone Lake. Barb was also active in the Ortonville Study Club, as well as in First English Lutheran Church, where she volunteered for many activities over the years.

In her leisure time, Barb played bridge, read, and fished. She and Leonard traveled extensively, both domestically and internationally. Barb especially loved hosting and attending get-togethers with friends and family. She enjoyed making sure her guests were well fed, comfortable, and entertained.

Left to cherish Barb’s memory are her children, Brian (Alison) Johnson of Avon, MN; and Anne Johnson (John Reale) of St. Paul, MN; along with many nieces, nephews, and beloved friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Leonard, in 2014; her parents, Rummy and Ramona; and sister, Mary Gruse Jennett, formerly of Montevideo and Ortonville.

Memorials in Barb's name are preferred to Big Stone Area Healthcare Foundation.