LaVon Johnson

LaVon Jane Johnson, 74, a resident of Fergus Falls, formerly of Rothsay, died Friday, February 19, 2010 at the Pioneer Retirement Community.  LaVon was born on August 9, 1935 in Tordenskjold Township, Underwood, MN, the daughter of Gudbrand and Mary (Swedberg) Olson. She attended grade school at District #71 and high school in Battle Lake. After high school, she worked various jobs including; Norby’s Department Store, Otter Tail Power Company, Holiday Inn and Herbergers.  On September 28, 1957 she married Eugene (Beanie) Johnson at the Alliance Church in Battle Lake. The couple resided in rural Fergus Falls on the farm and raised their four children, Mardell, Valdene, Ross and Linda. She started as a pianist at the age of 8 in a small country church and continued playing for nearly 60 years. She was a member of Rothsay Baptist Church and volunteered for 35 years as the church pianist. She did many sing-a-longs at the Pioneer Retirement Home, Minnesota Veterans Home and other nursing homes in the area. She played at Christian Women and accompanied many singers and also sang in the Billy Graham choir at the Fargo Crusade. She was active in Senior Citizens in Rothsay and Fergus Falls and also belonged to the Sons of Norway. LaVon and Beanie, who played the accordion, enjoyed entertaining at various places and functions with their band, “Beanie’s Band”. She had a lifelong love for music and enjoyed sharing it with others. LaVon enjoyed playing cards and bingo with her lady friends, going out for coffee, baking, doing sweepstakes, in which she actually won a Royal Caribbean Cruise, travelling, volunteering and playing her beautiful piano music. She also had a love for her dog and many cats. Preceding her in death were her parents and one brother, Gaylord Olson. Survivors include her husband, Eugene "Beanie" Johnson of Fergus Falls and four children, Mardell (Scott) Hanstad of Battle Lake, Valdene (Ricky) Teal of Sharpsburg, GA, Ross (Lisa) Johnson of Fergus Falls, Linda (Rick) Blondeau of Fergus Falls; seven grandchildren, Jeremy (Cara), Tyler and Tanya Hanstad; Shana and Tanner Johnson; Jaden and Jon Blondeau and two great-grandchildren, Dylan and Luke Hanstad. Visitation:   4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday with a public prayer service at 6:30 p.m. at the funeral home. Visitation will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. Service:  11 a.m. Wednesday at Rothsay Baptist Church, Rothsay, MN Clergy: Reverend Leon Andersen Burial:  Rothsay Baptist Cemetery, Rothsay, MN