Jerrie Johnson

Mohall

Jerrie Jean Johnson, 67, of Mohall; wife, mother, twin-sister, sister and friend to many, passed away at Sanford Medical Center in Bismarck, after the briefest battle with small cell lung cancer on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023.

Jerrie was born on June 5, 1955, to Roy and Virginia (Mayer) Aasen, at the now-closed Mohall Hospital. Jerrie immediately became the older sister as she was born two minutes before her twin, Judy. She reports that her curved pinky that was opposite that of her twin was the result of her tugging her into the world. She was raised on the family farmstead one mile south of Mohall and attended school in Mohall, the town she would call her home until her final days. She shared an incredible bond with her “womb-mate” sister, adored her big brother, and had so much pride in her little brother.

Jerrie married Michael McGinnity and became a young mother to Jennifer Jean, and soon after, Tammy Lynn. They divorced and she later met Ronald Johnson. Though when Ron tells the story, he admits that he always knew who Jerrie was. After a short courtship, Ron made the ultimate romantic gesture when he proposed to Jerrie at a pretend stoplight in Norma. They were wed on April 7, 1979. From this marriage was born Joey Ann, and one week after Jennifer’s high school graduation, came Little Tory Rae.

Jerrie was a hard-working woman who excelled at every job she ever had. Her wide smile and twinkling eyes were a welcome and a comfort to those around her. She started working in high school as a waitress at the Paragon Cafe. She spent a number of years as a physical therapist aide at the Good Samaritan Nursing Home before becoming a full-time mommy to the oldest three girls. Jerrie later started a small in-home daycare, likely to keep her fiery red-headed child occupied. She then switched to adult hospitality when she opened Pit Stop Lounge, a basement bar on Main Street. After she sold the business in 1988, she started working at Pizza and Pins where she remained before switching to home healthcare, which she absolutely loved. She left to pursue an opportunity at Midwest TeleMark International, where she remained a top-achiever for 20+ years. Prior to retiring, she provided cleaning services for local residents.

Jerrie had a huge heart, was a phenomenal and generous gift giver. She was meticulously organized and incredibly creative, making her an amazing party planner. She absolutely loved decorating her home. The combination of these characteristics made it no-wonder that Christmas in her home was always above-and-beyond. She took great pride in the weddings she helped plan for her girls, and with great reason, as not a detail was missed.

Jerrie’s greatest pride is her family, especially her girls. Jerrie loved camping and could be found at a campsite nearly every weekend. Jerrie enjoyed nights on the town and had a particular love for dancing and karaoke. When at home, she spent a lot of time on her flowers, watching “Little House on the Prairie” and cooking. She was an amazing cook and baker, but never made a “small-batch” of anything.

Family: Jerrie leaves on earth a heartbroken family that includes husband, Ronald Johnson, Mohall; daughters, Jennifer (Roger) Vind, Minot, Tammy (Bruce) Jorgenson, Mohall, Joey (Bill) Nelson, Mandan, Tory (Kurt) Statz, Bottineau; grandchildren, Jasmine, Shelby and William Beeter, Rhyder and Jerze Jorgenson, Andaleen and Liam Nelson, Jaxon, Bexley and Leni Statz; three great-grandchildren; siblings, Michael (Cheryl) Aasen, Sherwood, Judy (Thomas) Gehringer, Mohall, Richard Aasen, Mohall; mother-in-law, Betty Johnson, Kenmare; sister-in-law, Barbara (Al) Scherbenske, Kenmare; brother-in-law, David Johnson, Pueblo, Colo.; numerous precious nieces and nephews; several special aunts and uncles; and close friend, Rene Grunden.

Jerrie joins in heaven her fun-loving parents; her dear father-in-law, Melford Johnson; her sister-in-law, Deborah Aasen; her very special nephew, Thomas James Gehringer; and numerous aunts and uncles.

Funeral: 10 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023, at St. Jerome Catholic Church, Mohall.

Burial: Mohall Community Cemetery, Mohall, in the spring,

Prayer Service: 6 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023, at the church.

Visitation: Noon to 4 p.m., Wednesday, at Brose Funeral Home, Mohall. Friends may also sign the online guestbook at brosefuneralhome.com.

Published by The Minot Daily News, February 6, 2023.