Please click on the video tribute below to view Loretta's funeral and burial services.

Loretta Johnson, age 87, of Ada, MN, passed away on Friday, July 3, 2026 at the Halstad Living Center.

Loretta May Geving was born on August 20, 1938, in Ada, Minnesota, to Orton and Dora (Docken) Geving. She grew up on her parents' farm east of Ada and attended Ada schools. During her years at Ada High School, Loretta was active in music, especially the school band, where she played the clarinet. She also enjoyed playing the piano as a hobby. She graduated Salutatorian from Ada High School in 1956 and married the love of her life, Leon Johnson. They would spend nearly 70 years together, falling just a few weeks short of that remarkable milestone.

After marrying Leon, Loretta quickly became a dedicated homemaker while raising two children and helping on the family farm. No task was beyond her. It was not uncommon to see her making trips to town for parts, driving a combine, tractor, or grain truck, and then pausing only long enough to prepare meals or deliver sandwiches to the field during busy seasons.

As the children grew older and were able to take on more farm responsibilities, Loretta found time for additional work and interests. Along with managing the farm books, she worked at the Norman County Courthouse in the Register of Deeds Office, at Sjordahl Hardware, and for a period at a local dental office. Most of her later career was spent at the Watershed Office in Ada, where she managed a variety of administrative and legal responsibilities. She worked there for many years and was valued for her dedication and attention to detail.

Like her work life, Loretta's hobbies evolved over the years. She enjoyed teaching Sunday School, sang in the Grace Lutheran Church choir, and volunteered from time to time at the Norman County Museum. Together, Leon and Loretta enjoyed watching automobile racing and attended numerous NASCAR events around the country.

As family responsibilities lessened, Leon and Loretta found more opportunities to travel. They explored much of the United States, sometimes taking shorter trips in Leon's beloved Ford Model A. They especially enjoyed visiting America's national parks.  They also enjoyed fishing. When their son moved to Europe, they began traveling internationally, delighting in spending time with their grandchildren while also enjoying extensive sightseeing. Over the years, in addition to visiting family in Prague, they traveled throughout Czechia and visited cities including Munich, Nuremberg, Kraków, Vienna, Budapest, and Venice, among many others.

In recent years, as Loretta's health declined, she and Leon traveled less. Instead, they were blessed by the visits of an extended family, loyal friends, and caring neighbors who were always happy to come to them. Loretta will be deeply missed, but she leaves behind countless cherished memories for those who knew and loved her.

Loretta was preceded in death by her parents, Orton and Dora Geving.

She is survived by her brother Gerald, (Georgia) Geving of Strawberry Lake; her husband, Leon; her two sons, Bruce (Leona) Johnson of Prague, Czechia, and Robert (Lori) Johnson of Ada; and five grandchildren, Justin Johnson, Brice Johnson, Kirsten Olson, Tereza Johnson, and Lukas Johnson; one great grandson, Gavin Olson; along with numerous nieces, nephews and cousins with whom she kept in close touch.

Funeral Service: 11:00 AM, Thursday, July 9, 2026 at Grace Lutheran Church, Ada, MN.

Visitation: One hour before the funeral at the church.

Interment: Ada Municipal Cemetery, Ada, MN.

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