Jane Johnson

Jane Orenda Elaine Berg Johnson, 90, passed away at home on May 16, 2024 with family by her side.

Jane was born June 21, 1933 in Alvarado, MN to John A. Berg and Agnes O. Nelson.  She attended school in Alvarado from 1939-1947.  After the family moved from Alvarado to Grand Forks, ND in 1947, she attended school at Grand Forks Central High School, graduating in 1951.

Jane was employed from 1951-1958 as a secretary to Olaf H. Thormodsgard, Dean of the University of North Dakota Law School.   Later in life she was an Avon sales representative for 45 years (retiring in 2018 at the age of 85).   Many of her customers became longtime friends.

In 1957, Jane married Keith H. Johnson at United Lutheran Church in Grand Forks and enjoyed 62 years of marriage which was filled with family, travel, friends, music and worship.  To their union was born three sons: Bradley (deceased 2020), Paul (deceased 1959) and Reed.  Jane liked to sew and knit clothes for “her boys” (sport coats, vests, etc.) and attended or volunteered for several of their school functions.

Jane enjoyed music.  She was an amazing piano player who never had a lesson or learned to read notes – she simply played by ear.  She was very active at Augustana Lutheran Church where she taught Sunday School, made and served food at weddings and funerals, sang in the senior choir and played piano at times for the morning folk service.

Jane loved to travel – whether it was traveling as a family on many vacations across the U.S. or with Keith to several foreign countries over the years.  She enjoyed reading and could always be found with a book on hand.

Jane was preceded in death by her beloved Keith in January 2020 and son Brad in May of that same year.  Her second son, Paul, passed in October 1959 and her only sibling, Ardia, died in 2021.

She is survived by her son Reed (Pam) of Lake Elmo, MN; one granddaughter, Sarah Jane (Stephen) Manor;  and three great grandchildren from Stephen and Sarah, Edith Jane, Adelaide Rhea and Duncan Reed (who was born just 2 days before her death).  She is also survived by Gloria Thomas (partner of Bradley) along with several nieces and nephews.

A very special thanks to the hospice team at Ethos and the care team at Comfort Keepers who kept mom comforted during her final weeks/days – treating her as they would a member of their own family – mom loved them all.

In lieu of gifts, we are asking any memorials go to Augustana Lutheran Church in Grand Forks, ND.

Memorial Services will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, May 23, 2024 in Amundson Funeral Home, 2975 S. 42^nd St., Grand Forks.   Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service.  Interment will follow in Memorial Park South Cemetery, Grand Forks.