1920
Mildred
2011
Mildred Johnson
November 16, 1920 — May 23, 2011
Larson Funeral Home announces the death of Mildred C. Johnson, age 90, of Browns Valley. Mildred passed away on Monday, May 23, 2011 at the Browns Valley Health Center in Browns Valley, MN. Funeral Services for Mildred will be held on Friday, May 27, 2011 at 10:30 AM at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Browns Valley. Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 26, 2011 from 5-7:00 PM with a prayer service and time Funeral Services for Mildred will be held on Friday, May 27, 2011 at 10:30 AM at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Browns Valley. Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 26, 2011 from 5-7:00 PM with a prayer service and time of sharing at 7:00 PM at St. Anthony's Catholic Church. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday. Father Joe Vandeberg will be officiating and burial will be in the St. Anthony's Catholic Cemetery in Browns Valley.
Mildred Cecilia (Wilm) Johnson was born on November 16th, 1920 in Parkers Praire, MN to parents Joesph & Helena (Bursken) Wilm. She was baptized into the Catholic faith in Millerville, MN and later confirmed at Browns Valley, MN. Her family moved to Browns Valley in 1923 where she was raised on the farm during the depression and dirty thirties. With six children, her family struggled to make a living and this is when she learned her good work ethic. She attended country school and graduated from Browns Valley High School in 1938. During high school she lived in a house in Browns Valley with 5 others including her lifelong friend, Helen Peterson. The main meal was macaroni (without hamburger), with leftovers put on bread for school lunch. After high school she worked 2 years to save money to go to school at St. Luke's Nursing in Aberdeen. She graduated as a Registered nurse in 1943 with the nickname Midge and she developed several lifelong friends.
She worked in Sioux Falls until September 28, 1944 when she enlisted in the Army Nurse Corp. She said she wanted to see the world and do her part in the war. She was stationed in England, France and Germany. She enjoyed seeing lots of Europe, but caring for the injured was her top priority. For her service as a 2nd Lt. she was awarded the EAME Campaign Medal with one Bronze Star, World War II Victory Medal and 2 Overseas Service Bars. She returned to Browns Valley and married the love of her life, classmate and fellow veteran Merlyn Johnson. They remained married for almost 61 years until Merlyn's death in August 2007.
After her marriage she was back to the hard farm life where she raised six children, was the neighborhood nurse and cared for her mother for 15 years. In 1971 she returned to work at the new nursing home in Browns Valley. She worked until she was 80 and retired in 2000 under the condition there would be no party or recognition. She usually worked holidays because she thought the young nurses should be with their families. She held high respect and friendship for fellow employees and allowed them to call her "Millie", something her family wasn't allowed to do.
She enjoyed watching her children and grandchildren grow and be involved in school activities. She supported them all, but especially liked wrestling, not missing a match in many years. She also enjoyed sewing, playing bridge, gardening, tending her flowers, caring for her grandchildren, embroidery and crocheting an afghan for each grandchild (their color choice) when they graduated from high school. Her faith was important to her; she was a communion minister and worked at many church activities well into her upper 80's. She was a member of the D of I, Guild, Christian Mothers and the American Legion Auxiliary. (She wouldn't join the Legion - that was for men).
Merlyn and Mildred moved to Browns Valley in 1981 and really enjoyed living in town. She said the farm was always muddy and so much work. Now she could raise her garden, plant many flowers, play bridge, deliver Senior Meals, attend Progress Study Club, attend TOPS, work at the church, work at the Food Shelf, attend school activities, work at the nursing home and do some traveling. She really enjoyed the slower pace of life in town! They also fought the flood each spring. In 1992 she took a trip of a lifetime to Europe with her good friend Helen Peterson and Helen's daughter Joanne. They traveled to several countries visiting many of the places she was stationed during the war. She loved being with Helen and Joanne was the best guide ever.
In October 2008 she suffered a brain hemorrhage. After being hospitalized for 10-1/2 weeks she was admitted to the Browns Valley Health Care Center. Despite her poor prognosis the staff at Browns Valley Health Care Center was able to assist Mildred in being able to walk again. She enjoyed the activities of the health care center and lived there until her death.
Mildred is preceded in death by her husband, Merlyn, parents Helena and Joseph Wilm, baby daughter Mary, Sisters Louise and Mary, Brothers Henry, Mathew and Bert.
Survivors include her children Richard, Browns Valley, Patty (Richard) Blegen, Saginaw, MN, Don (Glenda) Browns Valley, Steve, Browns Valley, Jerry (Diane) Browns Valley and Peggy (Gerald) Heck, Beardsley, 12 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews and Helen Peterson, her life long friend.
Mildred Cecilia (Wilm) Johnson was born on November 16th, 1920 in Parkers Praire, MN to parents Joesph & Helena (Bursken) Wilm. She was baptized into the Catholic faith in Millerville, MN and later confirmed at Browns Valley, MN. Her family moved to Browns Valley in 1923 where she was raised on the farm during the depression and dirty thirties. With six children, her family struggled to make a living and this is when she learned her good work ethic. She attended country school and graduated from Browns Valley High School in 1938. During high school she lived in a house in Browns Valley with 5 others including her lifelong friend, Helen Peterson. The main meal was macaroni (without hamburger), with leftovers put on bread for school lunch. After high school she worked 2 years to save money to go to school at St. Luke's Nursing in Aberdeen. She graduated as a Registered nurse in 1943 with the nickname Midge and she developed several lifelong friends.
She worked in Sioux Falls until September 28, 1944 when she enlisted in the Army Nurse Corp. She said she wanted to see the world and do her part in the war. She was stationed in England, France and Germany. She enjoyed seeing lots of Europe, but caring for the injured was her top priority. For her service as a 2nd Lt. she was awarded the EAME Campaign Medal with one Bronze Star, World War II Victory Medal and 2 Overseas Service Bars. She returned to Browns Valley and married the love of her life, classmate and fellow veteran Merlyn Johnson. They remained married for almost 61 years until Merlyn's death in August 2007.
After her marriage she was back to the hard farm life where she raised six children, was the neighborhood nurse and cared for her mother for 15 years. In 1971 she returned to work at the new nursing home in Browns Valley. She worked until she was 80 and retired in 2000 under the condition there would be no party or recognition. She usually worked holidays because she thought the young nurses should be with their families. She held high respect and friendship for fellow employees and allowed them to call her "Millie", something her family wasn't allowed to do.
She enjoyed watching her children and grandchildren grow and be involved in school activities. She supported them all, but especially liked wrestling, not missing a match in many years. She also enjoyed sewing, playing bridge, gardening, tending her flowers, caring for her grandchildren, embroidery and crocheting an afghan for each grandchild (their color choice) when they graduated from high school. Her faith was important to her; she was a communion minister and worked at many church activities well into her upper 80's. She was a member of the D of I, Guild, Christian Mothers and the American Legion Auxiliary. (She wouldn't join the Legion - that was for men).
Merlyn and Mildred moved to Browns Valley in 1981 and really enjoyed living in town. She said the farm was always muddy and so much work. Now she could raise her garden, plant many flowers, play bridge, deliver Senior Meals, attend Progress Study Club, attend TOPS, work at the church, work at the Food Shelf, attend school activities, work at the nursing home and do some traveling. She really enjoyed the slower pace of life in town! They also fought the flood each spring. In 1992 she took a trip of a lifetime to Europe with her good friend Helen Peterson and Helen's daughter Joanne. They traveled to several countries visiting many of the places she was stationed during the war. She loved being with Helen and Joanne was the best guide ever.
In October 2008 she suffered a brain hemorrhage. After being hospitalized for 10-1/2 weeks she was admitted to the Browns Valley Health Care Center. Despite her poor prognosis the staff at Browns Valley Health Care Center was able to assist Mildred in being able to walk again. She enjoyed the activities of the health care center and lived there until her death.
Mildred is preceded in death by her husband, Merlyn, parents Helena and Joseph Wilm, baby daughter Mary, Sisters Louise and Mary, Brothers Henry, Mathew and Bert.
Survivors include her children Richard, Browns Valley, Patty (Richard) Blegen, Saginaw, MN, Don (Glenda) Browns Valley, Steve, Browns Valley, Jerry (Diane) Browns Valley and Peggy (Gerald) Heck, Beardsley, 12 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews and Helen Peterson, her life long friend.
Funeral Home
Larson Funeral Home401 NW 2nd Street
Ortonville, MN 56278