Bernice Johnson, 91, Fertile, MN, died Thursday, March 10,
2011, at Fair Meadow Nursing Home, Fertile.

Bernice V. Mahlum was born October 26, 1919, at Beltrami, MN, the daughter of George and Idey (Boen) Mahlum. She moved with her family to the Sundal area where she attended District #27 country school. She later attended school in Fertile and graduated in 1937. After high school, Bernice worked as a waitress at Burslie Café in Fertile and the Green Lantern Café, in Ada, MN. She was united in marriage to Emery Johnson on October 28, 1939, at Fertile. They made their home on a farm in Sundal Township where they lived for 47 years and raised six children.

Bernice was active in the Gary Lutheran Church and Ladies Aid. She also was a member of the Gary Homemakers and the Fertile Garden Club. She enjoyed her gardening, both vegetables and flowers, canning, and sewing. She later took up macramé and exhibited her work at area art shows, county fairs, and the state fair. In 1965, she started working as a clerk and substitute mail carrier for the Gary Post Office. She retired in 1987. In 1985 Emery died and she moved into Fertile in 1986 and continued to live in her home until moving to Fair Meadow in 2007.

Bernice is survived by her children, Wendell (Penny), Crookston, MN, Carolyn Rasmussen, New Hope, MN, Kyle (Donald) Joppru Thief River Falls, Gayle (Daniel) Thorson, Rogers, MN, Peter (Cindy), Gary, MN, and Nancy (Roger) Houg, Aitkin, MN, 17 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren, five great-great grandchildren, two sisters-in-law, Ardis Mahlum, Fertile, and Darlene Haumont, Mesa, AZ, and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Emery, her parents, two brothers, Royal and Werner, one sister, Emerald Nolte, one son-in-law, Verle Rasmussen, and infant twin grandsons.

Memorial Service: 10:30AM, Wednesday, March 16, 2011, at the Gary (MN) Lutheran Church.

Visitation: One hour before the service.

Pastor Kelly Ahola, Officiating

Alden Anderson, Organist and Soloist
"Softly And Tenderly"
" Beautiful Savior"
Congregational Hymns
"Great Is Thy Faithfulness"
"Amazing Grace"
Honorary Pallbearers
Brent Tom Carson
Patrick Derrick Jerrod
John Chad Wade Noel
Todd Chad Emery Jeffrey

Inurnment
Sundal Lutheran Cemetery
Rural Gary, Minnesota