Dolores Johnson

Dolores Esther “D” Johnson , age 96, of Grantsburg, passed away on Tuesday, July 4, 2017 at the Burnett Medical Continuing Care Center.   Dolores was born on December 1, 1920 in rural Grantsburg. She was the third daughter born to Stanley and Ida (Amundson) Clementson. She attended Branstad State Graded School through 8 th grade, and graduated from Grantsburg High School in 1938. After graduation, Dolores stayed home for 1 ½ years to help on the farm because Grandpa Clementson was bed ridden. She often said she would not exchange that time for anything because she could spend time with her parents since her sisters were either teaching school or enrolled in school. She later attended Bartley Business School in Superior, WI and worked a short time for the City and County Economy Association in Superior prior to being employed at Northwestern Wisconsin Electric Co. from 1940 until her retirement in 1987. On March 20, 1948, she was united in marriage to the love of her life, Harvey Lester Johnson at Bethany Lutheran Church in Grantsburg. They lived in Grantsburg and in 1975, they built a new home on E. James Ave., where they lived until Harvey’s death on July 11, 2003. Dolores continued to live in their home until her death. They had a good marriage for 55 years. They traveled in the states and in Canada but the best was the month-long trip they took to Norway in 1981, where they met many of Harvey’s first cousins and other relatives as well as two sisters of Harvey’s dad in the Trondheim area. They also visited Harvey’s mother’s relatives in Bessaker, and Dolores’ dad’s relatives who lived in above the Arctic Circle in Sorreisa. Dolores was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith at Bethany Lutheran Church and was a lifelong active member. After her sister Velva’s death on June 13, 2015, she became the oldest member of the Bethany Congregation. She was a member of Hope Circle and WELCA (Women of the ELCA). For many years, she sang in the choir, and taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School.  She served as Church Treasurer, Sunday School Superintendent, and was a Bethel Service Teacher. She really enjoyed being with the Bethany Quilters making quilts for Lutheran World Relief.  For many years, she visited shut-ins bringing them the Sunday Bulletin and the sermon tape. She had many interest – growing flowers, reading, word games, crossword puzzles, Norwegian Hardanger embroidery, and reading the Bible and memorizing verses. She had read through the entire Bible many, many times. Dolores liked to cook and invited people for meals. She liked to bake, especially dark bread, cinnamon rolls and Butterhorn Norwegian Goro, and took pleasure in sharing them with many people. Her special love was for her pre-school Sunday School classes. Her favorite quotation was by Charles Dickens: “I love these little people; and it is not a slight thing when they, who are so fresh from God, love us.” She had a genuine interest in young people, taking time to write encouraging notes and letters to them, and acknowledging their achievements. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Harvey; parents, Stanley and Ida Clementson; sisters, Velva Bauer, Ruby Cook, Betty Skinner, Elayne Johnson and Deborah Clementson; nephews, Kevin Cook and Wayne Nelson; great niece, Emily Smith; 8 brothers-in-law; 3 sisters-in-law; and father and mother-in-law, Louis and Marie Johnson. Dolores leaves to mourn her departure, a sister, Marjorie Robinson; many, many nieces and nephews; great nieces and nephews; and great-great nieces and nephews, all of whom she loved very much and were important to her. Also her adopted daughter, Edie Manthie; and many other relatives and friends. The Funeral Service for Dolores will be held on Saturday, July 15, 2017 at 11:00am at the Bethany Lutheran Church in Grantsburg with Pastor Jay Ticknor officiating. The interment will be held prior to the service at 10:00am at Riverside Cemetery in Grantsburg, all are welcome to attend. "Suggested Memorials to Bethany Lutheran Church WELCA." Arrangements were entrusted to Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home, Grantsburg, WI.