Elna S. Johnson, age 95, of 1612 Minneapolis Avenue; Gladstone, passed away on Friday, August 1st, 2008 at the Life Care Hospital in Muskegon following a brief illness. Elna has been residing with her daughter, Joan, since last August.

Elna was born November 7th, 1912 in Rapid River the daughter of John and Josephine (Hedstrom) Berg and was raised in the Rapid River area.

In her early working life, she worked on the family farm and developed a productive delivery route for farm products produced on the farm.

She later entered and completed the correspondence practical nurse program from the Chicago School of Nursing in 1942. On June 19th, 1943, Elna was united in marriage to Carl W. Johnson at the Evangelical Covenant Church in Gladstone and they subsequently made their home in Gladstone. Carl was a 45 year employee of the Soo Line Railroad and he preceded Elna in death July 22nd, 1985.

In addition to being a member of the United Evangelical Covenant Church of Delta County where she served as “Assistant Superintendent of Sunday School” for many years, Elna was also a member and active volunteer of the Gladstone Senior Citizen Center. Knitting, crocheting, and traveling were some of her favorite hobbies and past-times, but spending time with her grandchildren was her most enjoyable activity.

Elna’s family remembers her as an independent lady with numerous clever sayings and she has left many enjoyable memories for her family members to cherish.

Elna Johnson’s survivors include:

2 Daughters-Joan (Keith) Larson of Muskegon, MI; Judy Wittig of Green bay, WI

2 Grandchildren- Valarie (Matthew) Dalson of Gaylord, MI; Carl (fiancé, Karen Collie) Larson of Doylestown, PA

2 Great-grandchildren- Gabrielle Lynette Tyson; Kade Lee Dalson

and nieces and nephews.

Elna also leaves to survive special friends, including Mike and Martha Knutson and family, Kermit and Anne Larson, and Jeff Larson.

Elna was the last survivor of her siblings and was preceded in death by 5 brothers; Arnold, John, Gustav, Albin, and Edmond , and by 2 sisters, Bertha and Beda. 

The family of Elna S. Johnson will receive friends at the Skradski Funeral Home in Gladstone on Wednesday from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and again on Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the United Evangelical Covenant Church of Delta County located in Gladstone. Services celebrating her life will follow on Thursday at 11:00 a.m. at the United Evangelical Covenant Church with Rev. Nathan Langager officiating. Luncheon will follow services in the church fellowship hall. Burial will be in the Fernwood Cemetery. The family respectfully requests memorials be directed to the United Evangelical Covenant Church for church hearing aides or to the Gladstone Senior Citizen Center. Envelopes will be available at the Skradski Boyce Family Funeral Homes of Delta County who are assisting the Johnson family.