Margaret E. (Connor) Johnson December 10, 1921 ~ April 8, 2013 Margaret was born December 10, 1921, in Albert Lea, Minnesota, as the oldest of four children born to Mabel (Doerr) and Ralston Connor. She was baptized and confirmed at First Presbyterian Church in Albert Lea and graduated from Albert Lea High School. She went to Winona State Teacher's College (now known as Winona State University) and was certified to teach kindergarten and elementary grades 1-6. Margaret found her greatest joy in teaching children. She became a passionate advocate for early childhood education. She began her teaching career in Lewiston, Minnesota, and after two years she transferred to Alden, Minnesota Public Schools where she met her future husband, David Johnson. They were married on September 19, 1948, at First Presbyterian Church in Albert Lea. In 1955 they moved to Clarkfield, Minnesota, and soon after that the young family joined Augustana Lutheran Church. It was always clear to her family members that Margaret had a strong faith. She began her day with private devotions. In her room at the Care Center she had two or three devotional booklets that she read every day. She was very active in the church, participating in Women's Auxiliary, Bible studies and teaching Sunday School. Margaret had a lifelong love of education and learning. She worked for many years as a substitute teacher for Clarkfield schools. In her later years, she worked as a tutor for math and reading in the schools. All six of her children graduated from Clarkfield High School. Margaret loved cooking and baking, especially for her family. She was an adventurous and creative cook, always tearing out new recipes from magazines so she could try them out. Margaret loved meeting new people as well as spending time with friends. She was genuinely interested in the people she met, and always found out much about them. She loved spending time with family, especially her grandchildren, with whom she enjoyed playing board and card games. She loved spending time at the family place on Big Chippewa near Brandon, Minnesota. Margaret passed away on Monday, April 8, 2013, at the Clarkfield Care Center at the age of 91 years, 3 months and 29 days. Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband, David; her brother, Jack Connor and her sisters, Kathryn Byrge and Carol Hovda. She is survived by her four sons: Kent (Sharon) of Maple Grove, Minnesota, Paul (Lisa) of St. Louis, Missouri, Charles (Karla) of Arcadia, Wisconsin, Robert (Kim) of St. Cloud, Minnesota; two daughters: Mary Kay (Saul) Stensvaag, of Fergus Falls, Minnesota, and Sara (Marc) Illies, of Alexandria, Minnesota. She is also survived by 17 grandchildren. Blessed be the memory of Margaret Elizabeth Connor Johnson. Memorials are suggested to ELCA World Hunger Fund. In Loving Memory of Margaret E. Johnson Visitation Saturday, April 13, 2013 ~ 10:00-11:00 a.m. Augustana Lutheran Church, Clarkfield, Minnesota Funeral Service Saturday, April 13, 2013 ~ 11:00 a.m. Augustana Lutheran Church, Clarkfield, Minnesota Clergy Officiating Pastor David Wall Pastor Saul Stensvaag Scripture Reader Organist, Karen Donner Congregational Hymns Honorary Casket Bearers (Grandchildren) Maya Tanaka ~ Emma Stensvaag ~ Aaron Johnson Brittney Jensen ~ Caroline Johnson ~ Abby Johnson Claire Illies ~ Becca Illies ~ Kaia Illies Elsie Johnson ~ Riley Johnson Reece Johnson ~ Taro Tanaka Casket Bearers (Grandchildren) Ken Stensvaag ~ Paul Johnson Alex Johnson ~ Isaac Johnson Connor Illies ~ Jim Jensen Final Resting Place Fridhem Cemetery, Tyro Township Yellow Medicine County, Minnesota Arrangements by Lynner Funeral Home Since 1891 Clarkfield Minnesota