Leona Johnson

Minot

Leona Earnestine Johnson, 99, Minot, passed away into the loving arms of Jesus May 31, 2025, at Souris Valley Care Center, Velva.

Leona was born Aug. 17, 1925 in the family home in Minot, ND, to parents Earnest and Violet (Louis) Klimpel. She was raised and educated in Minot and attended St. Paul’s Lutheran Church where she was baptized and confirmed.

Leona graduated from Minot High School in 1943 and received her nursing degree from St. Joseph’s School of Nursing in 1947.

Leona put her nursing degree to good use, traveling to various places and assisting other medical facilities in Utah, California and Washington before returning to Minot in 1948.

Leona and Lester met at a dance in the Minot Armory and were later united in marriage on Jan. 30, 1949 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Minot. They settled in Minot, raising six children in a loving, Christ-filled home.

They enjoyed 63 years together until Lester’s death in 2012. During their marriage Leona was employed at St. Joseph’s Hospital until she made the move to Trinity Hospital specializing in Labor and Delivery. She continued working in obstetrics/labor and delivery for 25 years until retiring in 1988.

Leona was a member of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Minot, where she faithfully served on altar guild, LWML, the women’s Circle groups of the church and attended weekly and Sunday Association morning bible studies. She was also a member of the St. Joseph’s Nurses Alumni Association and volunteered at the Minot Visitor’s Center.

Leona loved spending time with her family and she and Lester were able to attend most of the grandchildren’s baptisms, confirmations, graduations, and weddings.

She especially enjoyed sewing quilt tops for church, crocheting, knitting, reading her daily devotions, jigsaw puzzles, solving Sudoku and keeping up on world events.

Leona was an example to us all of how to live with Christ as our rock and salvation. Her faith in Jesus sustained her all through her life and especially as she fought physical challenges in her later years.

Leona’s loving family includes her children Susan Johnson, Minot, Donna (Clarence) Hanson, Ruso, ND, Judy (John) Beck, Sauk Rapids, Minn., Diane (Ed) Fager, Jenks, OK, Lowell (Ellen) Johnson, Houston, TX and Lyle (Robin) Johnson, Minot; 19 grandchildren, 42 great grandchildren and 4 great great grandchildren; sisters Betty Keeler, Spokane, WA and Wanda (Paul) Kalamaha, Minot; along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Leona was preceded in death by her husband, parents, sister Vivian Kniffen, half-brothers Reuben George Klimpel and Edwin Klimpel, half-sisters Irene Wilson, Agnes Palmer and Gertrude Schollenberger and son-in-law Robert Johnson.

Funeral Service: Friday, June 6, 2025 at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Minot at 11 a.m., followed by a light fellowship and lunch.

Interment: Sunset Memorial Gardens, Minot.

Visitation: Thursday, June 5, 2025 at Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot from 4-6 p.m.

Memorials are preferred to St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Minot.

Memories and condolences may be shared at www.thomasfamilyfuneralhome.com.

Published by The Minot Daily News, June 3, 2025.