Nora "Darleen" Johnson

RUSHFORD, MN - Nora "Darleen" Johnson, 90, of Rushford, MN, died on Wednesday, December 12, 2018, at Gundersen Harmony Care Center in Harmony, MN.
Darleen was born on November 5, 1928, in Canton Township, MN, to Guy and Nora (Sanden) Soland. She graduated from Harmony High School and then from Normal School (teaching/education). She went on and taught in a country school in Amherst, MN for a few years. On June 10, 1949, she was united in marriage with LeRoy Johnson and for 66 years she demonstrated for all, the epitome of what a truly successful marriage can be. Her teaching did not end there, she went on to have 13 children of her own over the course of the next 15 years and taught them all strength, humility, kindness and humor. She loved to sew, garden, cook and can vegetables. Her flower gardens were amazing and she is known for her homemade bread, quilting and life changing dill pickles. Darleen's faith and family were the centerpieces of her life. She took special interest in each and every family member by being at the hospital when every grandchild was born, attending their baptisms, birthday parties, confirmations, graduations and weddings. She also found time to make her famous mints for all of these special occasions. Her vibrant competitive side was seen at every roll of the dice with friends and grandchildren. Oftentimes, this competitive side brought out the best of her wit and sass. She welcomed everyone into her home and never let anyone leave without a full stomach.
She was always a faithful and active member in the church. She was a member of Rushford Lutheran Church. Darleen was a compassionate and loving person with a zest for life and she will be missed greatly by all who knew her.
Darleen is survived by 12 children: Judith (Steven) Oian, Nancy Carman, Ellen (Gerald) Eide, Leroy (Carol) Johnson, Cynthia (Richard) Bovy, James (Joanne) Johnson, Mark (Cindy) Johnson, Bradley (Kari) Johnson, Richard (Pamela) Johnson, Sandra (Michael) Mlenar, Laurie (Tim Hallum) Johnson, Stacy (Scott) Newgaard; 40 grandchildren: Jennifer Oian, Tricia Oian, Steven (Toni) Oian, Tina (Chad) Oian, and Ryan (Kristin) Oian. Kenneth (Kirsten) Carman, Audra Carman, and Anthony Carman. Christopher Eide, Adam (Bobbi Jo) Eide, and Gerrad (Amber) Eide. Monica (Eric) Hill and Micheal Johnson. Amanda (Brad) Sullivan, and Natalie (Joshua) Boynton. Trinity (Emily) Johnson, Jeffrey Johnson, Joel (Courtney) Johnson, and Tiffany (Drew) Johnson. Guthrie (Jess) Johnson, Adrienne (Keith) Britson, Benjamin (Tiffany) Johnson, and Danielle (John) Yonts. Shannon (Casey) Ingvalson, Sara (Colin) Lange, and Lee (Meredith) Johnson. Ashley (Kate) Johnson, Melissa (Travis) McCabe, Zachary (Serena) Johnson, and Courtney (Jordan) Johnson. Brittany (Brian) Mlenar and Braden Mlenar. Erica (Lucas) Klein, Nicholas (Brittany) Agrimson, and Dalton Johnson. Luke Newgaard and Olivia Newgaard; 64 great grandchildren: Allison, Megan, Isaac, Alex, Lebron, Molly, Layla, Lyle, Amelia, Johanna, Lincoln, Eleanor, Paige, Sophia, Margaux, Beckett, Kaleb, Jessica, Jacqueline, Danny, Faith, Isabella, Emma, Chealsy, Hilary, Lillian, Elena, Andie, Nora, Greta, Caden, Carson, Teigen, Adeline, Braelyn, Keegan, Gage, Oliver, Kyle, Tyler, Riley, Rowan, Serenity, Mark, Liberty, Aubrey, Madison, Jackson, Eva, Davis, Jace, Reid, Cole, Taylor, Logan, Lilah, Lakyn, Hadley, Austin, Cameron, Griffin, Dominick and Dawson; a sister, Ilene Anderson of Harmony, MN; a sister-in-law, Pat Soland of Preston.
She was preceded in death by her husband, LeRoy; son, Jeffrey; grandson, Justin; two granddaughters: Julia and Janel; a great-grandson, Zaeden and five siblings: Audrey Teslow, LuVerne Soland, Gerald Soland, Esther Hanlon, and Guy Soland, Jr.
There will be a funeral service for Darleen at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, December 17, 2018, at Rushford Lutheran Church with The Reverend Steve Chellew officiating. Burial will be in the Highland Prairie Lutheran Cemetery in rural Peterson, MN. Visitation will be from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, at Hoff Funeral and Cremation Service in Rushford, and one hour prior to the service on Monday at the church.