Carol Ann Engelstad Johnson

Carol Ann Engelstad Johnson

Carol Ann Engelstad Johnson, 80, of Stephen, MN, died peacefully Sunday morning, March 11, 2012, surrounded by her family at the Karlstad Health Care Center.

Carol was born to the late Sophia and Melvin Engelstad on December 22,1931, in Warren, MN. She graduated from Warren High School in 1949 and attended St. Olaf, Northfield, MN, before transferring to the MN School of Business, Mpls, MN. She married Luther Johnson in 1951 and together they moved to rural Stephen, where they farmed and reared two children, Deborah and Nathan. Carol and Luther spent winters during the past thirty years in Bullhead City, AZ and continued to return to their farm in Happy Corner to the present.

An active member of the Happy Corner and Stephen communities, Carol was a leader in the Happy Corner 4-H club, a member of the Happy Corner Homemakers, as well as of St. Petri Lutheran Church and choir.

At St. Petri she taught Sunday School for many years and belonged to the Ladies Aid. When St. Petri closed, Carol joined First Lutheran Church in Stephen. Along with other Stephen activities, Carol participated in and held offices in the Stephen Women's Club and served as President of the 9th District Federated Women's Club, 1966-68. Before Luther and she began wintering in AZ, Carol was employed as an executive secretary for twelve years by American Crystal Sugar in Drayton, ND.

Family, friends and fellowship were important to her. Carol planned and prepared gatherings for holidays, confirmations, graduations, anniversaries for family and friends so everyone could enjoy the time together. She loved to travel with Luther, her beloved life partner of nearly 61 years and she loved to meet people. Together they saw most of the U.S., parts of Canada, Mexico and several countries in Europe. Friends and family have described her as "vivacious and beautiful," "a class act," "a joy to be around." Through this life and into the next Carol was guided by courage, faith and love. She will be dearly missed.

Carol is survived by her husband, Luther; two children: Deborah Johnson, Sarona, WI and Nathan Johnson, Overland Park, KS; three grandchildren: Natalie (Tyler) Martin, Highlands Ranch, CO, Nicole Johnson, Overland Park, KS and Natasha Johnson, Highlands Ranch, CO; Nathan's fiancé: Jenny Scheve, Overland Park, KS; one sister: Millicent Carl, Santa Maria, CA; brothers and sisters in law: Joan (John) Engelstad, Warren, MN, Wallace A. Johnson, Camino Island, WA, Carl and Betty Johnson, Vergas, MN, Verona Peterson, Pelican Rapids, MN, Mary Ann Johnson, Mpls, MN and many nieces, nephews and their families.

Carol is preceded in death by her parents, Melvin and Sophia (Opheim) Engelstad; mother in law: Agnes T. Johnson; one brother: John Engelstad; one sister: Viola (Engelstad) Standish; brothers and sisters in law: William (Millicent) Carl, John (Viola) Standish, Clarence (Verona) Peterson, Joyce (Wallace) Johnson and nephew, John Standish.

A memorial service will be held at First Lutheran Church in Stephen, MN, on Monday, April 9, at 10:30 a.m.

The Austin Funeral Home of Stephen is in charge of arrangements. www.austinfuneralchapel.com

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