Lorene Johnston

Lorene Johnston, 100, passed away Thursday, December 9 , at Heartland Woodside Village in Grand Forks. Born on a farm near Neche, ND, March 19, 1921, Lorene was the daughter of Edward and Marian Neutze She graduated from Neche High School and Valley City Teachers College with a degree in Elementary Education.  Lorene married Wilfred Lloyd in 1942 in Fresno, California.  Wilfred died in 1951.  Lorene then moved to Grafton, ND, where she taught school and raised her sons.  She was married to W.J. (Bill) Johnston from 1963 until his death in 1983.

Her teaching career spanned 17 years, beginning with two years in a one room school in Backoo, ND, two years in Neche, and thirteen years in Grafton. Two of those years she served at Westview School as the first female principal in the Grafton school system.  She was very respected and loved by her students.

Lorene was active in many organizations during her 52 years in Grafton, including a member of Grafton Lutheran Church where she sang in the choir, Lutheran Church Women and Bible study group. She was a member and an officer in: Chapter X-PEO, The Order of Eastern Star, La Boehme, Grafton Retired Teachers Association, Unity Hospital Auxiliary, and Grafton Senior Center.

In 2005 Lorene moved to Valley 4000 Country Estates and later lived in Wheatland Terrace and Woodside Village. During those years she enjoyed the many activities and new friends she made. Her staff became family to her and she appreciated their wonderful care.  Lorene will be forever remembered as a loving, selfless, kind, giving, gentle, and always a smile woman. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Lorene is survived by her two sons, Warren (Judi) Lloyd, North Carolina and Gary (Debbie) Lloyd, Grand Forks:  grandchildren Allan Lloyd and Teresa Lloyd, and Brian, Scott, and John Lloyd, 2 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her parents and brother Earl.

A memorial and burial service will be held at a later date

Online guest book available at www.amundsonfuneralhome.com

 Memorials are preferred to Valley Senior Living –Heartland or Grafton Lutheran Church.