Helen Juline Johnson

Helen Juline Johnson was born on November 18, 1938 in Albert Lea, the daughter of Elmer and Harriet Schmidt Butenhoff. She was baptized and confirmed at First Lutheran Church in Albert Lea, and attended Albert Lea High School. Helen was united in marriage to Gene C. Johnson on January 3, 1959 in Northwood, IA. They made their home in Hartland from 1959 until 1994 when they moved to Albert Lea. Helen was an active member of the Hartland Evangelical Lutheran Church, serving as a Sunday School Teacher, a member of the Naomi Circle and a member and past president of the Ladies' Aid. She worked for the Co-op Creamery in Albert Lea, Stampers in Wells, Herter's in New Richland, and was a day care provider from 1967 until her retirement in 2004. Helen was also a member of the Hartland Elementary School Mother's Club. She enjoyed traveling, camping, gardening, sewing, and spending time with family, friends, and her two cats. She immensely enjoyed the time she spent with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and attending their many events. Survivors include her husband Gene; mother Harriet; children Rodney Kim of Waseca, Debra Corey Hennessey of Rochester, Gregory of New Richland, and Todd Diana of Albert Lea; nine grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; four step-grandchildren; five step great-grandchildren; brothers Gerald of Chalfont, PA, Keith of Albert Lea, and Roger of Manly, IA; sisters Marlys Jensen of Albert Lea, Lois Martinson of Mankato, Twyla Bruns of Lynbrook, NY, and Ruth Dean Johnson of Hartland; and many in-laws, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins. Helen was preceded in death by her father Elmer, her father-in-law Carl, mother-in-law Ida, granddaughter Angela Johnson, brothers-in-law Albert Johnson, Lloyd Baker, and twin brothers-in-law in infancy; and by sisters-in-law Ruth Butenhoff and Darlene Butenhoff.