Zona Johannes

Zona Gale Johannes, 81, of Fergus Falls, entered eternal life on Wednesday, July 27, 2011, at the Broen Memorial Home in Fergus Falls, Minnesota. She was born December 19, 1929 in Bismarck, ND, to Elmo and Kathryn (Hermansfeld) Sampsel. She grew up in Washburn, ND, and attended Washburn High School (Go Cardinals!) where she was a cheerleader and a member of the choir. Zona furthered her education with a year of nurse’s training in Bismarck. She married her high school sweetheart, Merl Johannes, on October 20, 1948. Their family quickly grew with the births of Bruce, Linda, Penny and Kevin. In 1958 Zona and Merl moved the family to Fergus Falls, for a job transfer with Otter Tail Power Company. The family continued to grow with the addition of Brian, Candy and Scott. Zona was a loving mother and her passion was her family! She was able to be creative in all ways to provide the best for her children. Zona was a faithful Christian, and made sure her children attended Sunday school every week. She was an excellent cook and baker, a pianist and singer, and a skilled and clever writer. Her creativity helped her write the winning verses for the “Winter Wonderland” theme song contest, which in turn led to her career as a copywriter at KBRF radio station for several years. Her family and friends always looked forward to Zona’s letters and cards, as they were filled with poems and words that made them smile and feel special. Zona also worked for several years as a study hall aide at Fergus Falls Senior High School. She was active in the Women’s Group and choir at Grace United Methodist Church, and later joined Maine Presbyterian Church. Zona was an avid reader, loved to work crossword puzzles, and enjoyed arranging flowers. She was a devoted wife, a caring mother and a special grandmother. Zona was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Donald Sampsel, and several aunts, cousins and nephews. Survivors include her husband of 62 years, Merl Johannes, and her seven children and their spouses, Bruce (Sandy) Johannes of Fargo, ND, Linda (Steve) Lill of Bloomington, IN, Penny (Jeff) Kreutter of Brooklyn Center, MN, Kevin (Cindy) Johannes of Colorado Springs, CO, Brian (Jolene) Johannes of Wadena, MN, Candy (Mark) Hansen of Forman, ND, and Scott (Carol) Johannes of Golden Valley, MN. Also surviving are 13 grandchildren, Andrew Johannes, Kristin (Michael) Miller, Craig (Candace) Lill, Thom (Jessica) Kreutter, Garrett and Kelsey Johannes, Erik, Cally and Ben Johannes, Tracy (Ian) Hill, Lanning and Samara Hansen, and Emily Johannes, and 8 great-grandchildren, Drew, Ryan and Evan Miller, Ian and Jacob Hill, and Amy, Jordan and Samantha Kreutter. The family requests that everyone honors Zona by wearing a touch of blue, her favorite color, to her services. Visitation will be Monday, August 1, from 5-7 p.m. at Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls, with a prayer service at 6:30 p.m. A Memorial Service will be Tuesday, August 2, 2011, at 1:00 p.m. at Maine Presbyterian Church, Maine, Minnesota, with Reverend Glenn Lord officiating. Olson Funeral Home in  Fergus Falls is in charge of the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Silent Vale Cemetery Fund.