LaVonne M. Johnson

Mrs. Ellard LaVonne M. Johnson, age 82, of Underwood, died Thursday, November 24, 2016, at the Broen Home in Fergus Falls.

She was born October 27, 1934, in Carlisle Township, the daughter of Walter and Esther (Trenne) Rose. She attended elementary school in Carlisle at District #247 and graduated from Underwood High School in 1952.

LaVonne worked for a Telephone Company in Fergus Falls until her marriage to J. Ellard Johnson at Sverdrup Lutheran Church, on October 2, 1954. They made their home in Underwood for a short time, before moving to Eagle Lake Township by Ashby, where they devoted their time to dairy farming and raising their family. In 1960, they moved to their permanent home in Aurdal Township on Fish Lake, rural Underwood.

She was an active member of Tingvold Lutheran Church and a charter member of Messiah Lutheran Church, rural Underwood, where she was a secretary and maintained church records. While her children were in 4-H, she was an active adult participant and served as a County Council 4-H Leader. LaVonne was also an active member of the Underwood Lions Club, where she held many positions of leadership; was on the Underwood School Board for 17 years; served on the West Central Ed Co-op for 9 years and the ESU Co-op for 8 years and was involved with special education for 17 years.

LaVonne’s favorite times were spent making cookies with her grandchildren, baking, decorating cakes, flower gardening and playing card and board games.

Preceding her in death were her parents; sons, Daryl Dean Johnson and David Paul Johnson and a sister and brother-in-law, Valjeanne (Merle) Johansen.

Survivors include her husband, Ellard; her daughter, Diane Mae (Ross) Bjorkman of Underwood and their children Carissa (David) Bosch and Bryce Bjorkman and grandchildren Garrick and Callum Bosch; her daughter, DaNell Rose (Doug) Jamieson of Wilson, WI and their children Audrey and John Jamieson and Corbin (Mallory) Jamieson and grandchildren Owen and Akya Jamieson; her son, Delain Scott (Jill) Johnson of Edmonds, WA and their children Ella and Luke Johnson and Daryl’s daughter, Jamie (Jamie) Schweigert and their children Abbott, Briggs and Legend Schweigert; David’s daughters, Jessica (Josh) Bernard and Jade Flauterly; brothers, W. Duane (Carol) Rose of Fergus Falls and Lyle (Rosalie) Rose of East Grand Forks, along with nieces and nephews.

Visitation: two hours prior to the service at the church
Service: 3:00 p.m. Saturday, December 3, 2016 at Messiah Lutheran Church, rural Underwood
Clergy: Rev. Tim Collins
Interment: Messiah Lutheran Cemetery, rural Underwood
Arrangements provided by Olson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls