Pearl Johnson

Pearl Johnson, age 100, died Wednesday, May 10, 2023 at Valley Villas in Spring Valley.

Celebration of Life Service will be Saturday, June 3, 2023, at 11 a.m. at Spring Lake Lutheran Church, Spring Valley with a luncheon to follow.

Visitation will be from 10-11 a.m. at church prior to the service.  Burial will be in Spring Lake Lutheran Cemetery.

Pearl was born November 14, 1922, in Winthrop, Minnesota to parents Gunnard and Ruby (Erickson) Berkman.  She was raised on a farm with four brothers and one sister.  Pearl loved country life, her cousins living on neighboring farms and 4-H.  She attended a one-room school house through the 8th grade, then graduated from Winthrop High School.

Pearl moved with her sister, Violet to Minneapolis.  Her first job with training in secretarial skills was at Dunwood College of Technology.  This job was a stepping-stone to future jobs with promotions.  Her last job was Administration Assistant for 3 top bosses with a large sprinkler system company.

Pearl married Russell Johnson in 1947 and though divorced in 1974, she raised their 5 children most often as a single parent.  Pearl was dedicated to her children, and her love continued to grow for her grandchildren; sleep-overs with grandma, hide and seek in her backyard, and nature hikes along the creek.  As they grew, she celebrated their many successes.  Pearl’s hobbies included gardening, photography (especially trees-whether in full bloom or bare, lacey branches outstretched to the skies), making her own greeting cards for family and friends.  Pearl volunteered several years at a local school to help 3rd graders improve their reading skills and was known as “Grandma” to them while enjoying special friendship with their teacher.  Pearl has left a precious legacy of faith and love for God to her family to carry on and share with others.  Thank-you Mom.

Preceding her in death were her parents and siblings; son Bradley; daughter Pamela; infant grandsons Joseph and Jeremiah.

Pearl is survived by her children: Brian (Cherie) Johnson; Brenda (Mike) O’Connell; and Zona (Jim) Hague; 13 grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren; last living cousin Mary Lois; and many nieces and nephews.

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