Delia G. Johnson

Delia Geneva (Moen) Johnson, 96, formerly of Rothsay, MN, died Saturday, October 24, 2015, at Pioneer Care in Fergus Falls, MN.

Delia was born on February 18, 1919, to John H. and Clara (Hovland) Moen in Trondhjem Township, rural Rothsay, MN. She was baptized and confirmed at Friborg Lutheran Church, Rothsay. She attended grade school at District 89 between Rothsay and Erhard. Due to economic conditions her formal education ended at age 13, when she graduated 8th grade. From then on, until her marriage, she worked as a domestic doing housework, cooking, and caring for children.

On January 2, 1949, she married Lyle Johnson at Friborg Lutheran Church, Rothsay. Together they raised their 5 children on the family dairy farm that had been in Delia’s family since it was homesteaded in 1872. There they worked side by side as lifelong partners until June 2013, when Lyle’s health declined and they moved to Pioneer Care in Fergus Falls.

Delia was a lifelong reader, in her later years reading seven library books every two weeks. She was an amazing cook and baker. She loved having company and no one ever left her home hungry. Her delicious homemade buns were often requested for family events. She and Lyle loved watching and identifying the variety of birds and fowl that came to their feeders and into their yard. More than anything else, Delia was a devoted friend. Her telephone was her lifeline to making sure the people she loved and cared about were doing okay. She was also a great letter writer and sent many encouraging words to family and friends.

Delia and Lyle were married for almost 65 years and their devotion to each other was an example to all of the happiness created from a lifetime of sharing the ups and downs, never giving up, and always showing their love for each other. Her love for her family was evident in everything she did.

After Lyle’s death on August 30, 2013, Delia created a new life for herself at Pioneer Care where she found a new purpose at age 94. She welcomed new residents, helped families going through the death of a loved one, and was just a friend to all around her, making her family very proud of her. She also became a soccer and hockey fan while watching her youngest granddaughters play.

Delia was preceded by her husband, Lyle; her parents, John and Clara Moen; sisters, Irene Ronningen, Ilene Lien, and Evelyn Lamm; brothers-in-law, Elmer Ronningen, Lloyd Lien, Wilfred Zimmerman, and James Drechsel; and son-in-law, Eugene Waldoch.

She will be so missed by children, Faith Waldoch of Rothsay, John (Marilyn) Johnson of Hunter, ND, Irving Johnson of Erhard, MN, Wayne (Kim) Johnson of Wyoming, MN, and Neal (Carolyn) Johnson of Fergus Falls;
Grandchildren, Jodi Johnson, Rebecca (Brian) Foro, Brad (Deidra) Waldoch, Debi (Chris) Walter, Laura Waldoch, Jamee (Jim) Mossengren, Cole Johnson, Sherry Johnson, Julia Johnson, Marney Curfman, Brienne Curfman, Lyndsey ( Ryan) Nordlund and Joshua Curfman; great-grandchildren, Zachery Rossum, Geneva Foro, Delia and Johnathan Walter, Maria, Andrew, and Adam Waldoch, McKensi and Maxwell Mossengren, Lilli and Lauren Nordlund; as well as her siblings, Avis Zimmerman, Judy (Ken) Toso, Charlotte Moen, Gerry Drechsel, Donald (Marie) Moen, and Ardell Moen; a brother-in-law, Robert Lamm; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Visitation: Friday, October 30 from 5:00-7:00 PM at the Olson Funeral Home with Prayers at 6:30
Services: Saturday, October 31, at 2:30 PM at the New Life Lutheran Church in Rothsay
Clergy: Rev. Leon Andersen and Chaplain Jo Bowman
Burial: North Friborg Cemetery South of Rothsay