Geraldine Johnson

The memorial service for Geraldine (Gerry) L. Olson Johnson of Pinellas Park Florida will be 2:00 p.m. Tuesday September 15, 2009 at First Presbyterian Church, Albert Lea. The Reverend Dwight Netzer will officiate. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Monday at Bonnerup Funeral Service Albert Lea . Memorials are preferred to the First Presbyterian Church or Peace and Power. Gerry died Friday, September 11, 2009 at the Waseca Hospital. She was 83 years old. Gerry was born August 28, 1926 in Hayward, Minnesota to George and Nora (Festad) Olson. She lived in Hayward and Albert Lea. She graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1944. Gerry married Donald Johnson on May 5, 1946 in Hayward, Minnesota. They resided in Albert Lea until October 1979 when they sold their business and moved to Florida. In 1980 they purchased a motel on Maderia Beach, Florida which Gerry operated for 10 years before retiring in 1990 and moving inland to Pinellas Park, Florida. All the kids and grandchildren hold very special memories of their time spent with Nana and Gramps on the beach. After retiring, Gerry and Don spent their time between Florida and their cottage on St. Olaf Lake, rural New Richland, Minnesota. She worked for Northwestern Bell until 1946 and later for Sears both in Albert Lea and Florida, in addition to volunteering for numerous organizations she had a passion for. Gerry was baptized and confirmed at Hayward Lutheran Church. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church and later Salem Lutheran Church while in Albert Lea. She was a member of the Prince of Peace Church in Largo, Florida where she served on the church council and sang in the choir. She was also a member of the Samaritan group, a shepherding program. Gerry volunteered at the Religious Community Service Thrift Store in Largo. Gerry was a member of the Naeve Hospital Auxiliary, YWCA and different women?s groups. She enjoyed golfing, crafting, and just being around people. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were her greatest joy, and she loved them deeply. Gerry is survived by her husband Donald; five children: Rod Johnson and his wife Linda of Albert Lea, Doug Johnson of Hopkins, MN, Craig Johnson and his wife Michele of Albert Lea, Jan Hoium and her husband Craig of Albert Lea and Tom Johnson and his wife Karen of Palm Harbor, Florida; grandchildren: Josh Johnson and his wife Karen, Matt Johnson and his wife Christine, Jessica Gleason and her husband Joe, Nathan Johnson and his wife Laura, Erik Johnson, Mitchell Johnson and his wife Meghan, Mike Hoium and his wife Carissa, Jeff Hoium, Jordan Bryan and her husband Adam, Amber Johnson and Brianna Johnson; great grandchildren: Bryce Johnson, Evie Bea Johnson, Emelia Hoium, sister: Opal Petersen of Albert Lea, sister-in-law: Faye Olson of Albert Lea, Helen Johnson of Albert Lea, and Marge Huggins of New Port Richey, Florida. Gerry was preceded in death by her parents: George and Nora Olson; sisters: Mayme Whiteis, Hazel Sherman, Olive Peterson, Ev Hutchins, and Gen Olson; brother: Rudy Olson and several brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews. Gerry's favorite saying was "Bless his/her heart," and today we ask God to bless hers.