June M Johnson

Funeral services for June Maxine Johnson, age 92, of Albert Lea will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 10, 2011 at Freeborn Congregational United Church of Christ.  Rev. Cherie Daniel will officiate.  Interment will be at Freeborn Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 5-7:00 p.m. Monday, May 9th at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at the church.  To sign the guest book, go to www.bayviewfuneral.com

June died Friday, May 6, 2011 at Albert Lea Medical Center after a rich life.

June M. Johnson was born on June 5, 1918 in rural Freeborn; she graduated from Freeborn High School, and after earning her teaching degree from Mankato State Teachers College, began her teaching career at age 19.  She married Orville A. Johnson in 1942 and after he returned from military service overseas, they made their home in rural Freeborn, raising five children.  June was a teacher in the Freeborn public schools for many years, serving multiple generations of area families.  For many years she conducted the church choir of Freeborn Congregational Church UCC, including its annual multi-church Easter cantata. June loved to travel with family and friends, read extensively, and had a remarkable memory for poetry and song lyrics.  She was well known for her wry sense of humor and quiet poise.

Survivors include her children Bruce (Debra) Johnson, Georgetown, CA; Janet (Dean) VanOort, Fulda, MN; Patricia Johnson (Greg Kvam), Minneapolis, MN; Rebecca (Alan) Holz, Cottage Grove, MN; and Rod Johnson, Duluth, MN; grandchildren, Aaron VanOort, Adam VanOort, Elizabeth Kvam, Jessica McEntire, Megan Holz, Seth VanOort, Kathryn Kvam, Nathan Johnson, Jordan VanOort, Sarah Johnson, Troy Johnson, Janell Johnson, and Emily Holz; great-grandchildren Madison and Connor McEntire; Olive Cain-Johnson; Daniel, Thomas, Jonathan and Luke VanOort; Nicolas and Noelle VanOort; and Lura Weiner; brother Keith (Micki) Miller of Mankato, formerly of Freeborn; and many loving sisters and brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews and other extended family.

June was preceded in death by her husband, Orville Johnson, parents Lura Seath Miller and Sidney Miller and siblings Lucille Dillavou, Jean Olson, and Phil Miller.

June’s family is extremely grateful for the loving, devoted care of Silvia Ortiz and her staff, all the staff at Bancroft Creek Estates, and the staff of Albert Lea Medical Center.

Memorials preferred to the Freeborn Congregational Church of Christ or the Piano fund at Bancroft Creek Estates.