Illa Alice Johnson, 89, of Hixton, passed away peacefully at her home in hospice care surrounded by her family.
She was born to Oscar and Nellie (Harmon) Farrington on December 19, 1931. She graduated from Black River Falls High School in 1950. She married the love of her life Jule Johnson on March 17, 1951 and they celebrated 66 years of marriage. Together they farmed over 400 acres and milked an excellent herd of dairy cows in the Garden Valley area.
Her hands could tell a million stories from changing diapers to praying for her family daily. She was a woman who placed her family above everything else. She was always making sure they were fed well by baking bread, canning, picking berries, making lefse and delivering lunches to the field. On the farm her hands were always busy in the garden, milking cows and taking care of the family pets. Her grandchildren remember her hands always being busy crafting, playing cards and dominoes as well as giving hugs that were full of unconditional love. If her hands weren’t busy serving her family they were quilting, helping within the New Hope Community Lutheran Church through Bible school and Women of Life. Camping was a favorite pastime of hers which kept her hands busy making food, fixing boo-boos, tadpole fishing and visiting. In all her 89 years her hands were always serving.
Surviving Illa are her children; Gerald Johnson, Edwin Johnson, Kenny (Connie) Johnson, Scott Johnson, and Carol (Mark) Jarrett; grandchildren, David Johnson, Melissa (Scott) Gilbertson, Marie (Buck) Kneifl, Alan Johnson, Gary (Cassie) Johnson, Amy (Josh) Roberts, Jessica (Mark) Nordahl, Jameson Johnson, Manda Laufenberg, Derrick Laufenberg, McKenna Jarrett and Sheila Pollack; twelve great-grandchildren; and one great-great grandson.
She is preceded in death by her husband; Jule Johnson, her parents; Oscar and Nellie Farrington, her siblings and great-granddaughter.
Funeral services for Illa will be held February 13, 2021 at 12:30 PM at New Hope Community Lutheran Church (W16346 Dettinger Rd, Hixton). Pastor Dale Klevgard will officiate with burial immediately following the service at Northfield Lutheran Cemetery in Northfield. Friends may call on the family during a visitation at the Church, for two hours prior to the service, from 10:30 to 12:30. There will be an opportunity for further sharing and remembrance during a luncheon at the church following the graveside service.
Jensen-Modjeski Funeral Home, 128 Hoffman St., in Hixton (715)963-2311, has assisted the family with arrangements.
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