Martha Johnson, 94, Ashby, MN

Martha Johnson, 94, of Ashby, died Saturday, Dec. 29, 2007, at Pelican Lake Health Care Center in Ashby.

She was born Jan. 12, 1913, near Elbow Lake in Grant County, the daughter of Christian and Mathea (Ruud) Simonson. She was baptized in the Christian faith in Elbow Lake and confirmed at Grue Lutheran Church, rural Ashby.

When she was four years of age, her parents moved from Elbow Lake to the farm that is located below the Grue Lutheran Church hill. She attended School District 6 in Eagle Lake Township where she completed eighth or ninth grade.

Eventually the family moved to a farm northwest of Ashby where Martha thrived in helping her father with the barn and outdoor chores.

As a young lady, she chose to be a city girl and traveled with her friend, Ebba Peterson, to Minneapolis during World War II, and became employed at the Wartburg Rooming House. Later she returned to Ashby to become one of the switchboard operators at the Mutual Telephone office in the Ashby City Hall building where she worked for 18 years.

Later she was employed for a few months at the Elbow Lake Hospital Nursing Home in the dietary department and then became employed at the Pelican Lake Nursing Home in Ashby which became a 24-year, full-time position. She served in numerous areas of the facility and retired in 1991. Throughout this time she opened her home to teachers who needed a place to live during the school year and also provided sleeping quarters for employees of the nursing home during stormy weather.

On Aug. 22, 1954, she married Eval Johnson, the well-known butter maker at the Ashby Coop Creamery, at the parsonage in Dalton with the Rev. E. O. Stenson officiating.

Eval died Dec. 18, 1961.

Martha was a very gracious hostess always setting an elegant table with beautiful attire. She loved to quilt and sew. She was a member of the Ashby Garden Club and Ashby Senior Citizens. She was an active member of Peace Lutheran Church, WELCA and Circle until her health failed. She was very proud to be the Grand Marshall of the Ashby Appreciation Days Parade in 2003.

She also enjoyed spending time with friends and relatives especially her step-grandchildren. Martha was tuned into the needs and pulse of the community for many years. She had a very strong work ethic which served her well as she sought to serve her church, her family and friends and her community. Her ready smile and sparkling eyes as well as her quick wit will be greatly missed by her family, friends and relatives.

She was able to live in her own home until December 2004, when she entered Broen Home in Fergus Falls and later became a resident of Pelican Health Care Center.

She is survived by a step-daughter, Betty Huckaby of Nashville, Tenn.; a step-son-in-law, Donald Johnson of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; step-grandchildren, William (Ann) Huckaby of Morristown, Tenn.; Thomas (Judy) Huckaby of Nashville, Tenn., Charles (Mary) Johnson of Moorhead, Steven Johnson of Prescott, Wis., Lyn Johnson of Burnsville, Ann (Bruce) Swanson of Rochester, Peter (Margaret) Johnson of Hanover, Mass., Timothy (Janet) Johnson of Minneapolis, and Linnea (Byron) Johnson-Scott of Rochester; 13 step-great-grandchildren; four step great-great-grandchildren; and cousins, relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Eval; her half-sister, Agnes; her brother, Olaf Simonson; her step-son, Vernon Johnson; and her step-daughter, Phyllis Johnson.

Visitation: Two hours prior to the service at the church

Service: 1 p.m. Saturday at Peace Lutheran Church, Ashby

Clergy: Rev. Carol Olson

Burial: Pelican Lake Cemetery, Ashby

Funeral Home: Glende-Nilson Funeral Home, Ashby

Condolences: www.glendenilson.com