Dorothy Johnson of St. Hilaire, MN, age 78, passed away at her home on Saturday, June 22, 2013. Funeral service will be held at 10:30 AM on Thursday, June 27, 2013 at Our Saviour's Free Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls, MN. Burial will follow at Community Cemetery in St. Hilaire, MN. Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM with a 7:00 PM prayer service on Wednesday, June 26, 2013 at Our Saviour's Free Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls, MN. Visitation will also be held from 9:30 AM until 10:30 AM on Thursday at the church. Dorothy Arlene Nelson was born September 7, 1934 at McIntosh, MN the daughter of Elmer Arthur and Nora Margaret (Nelson) Nelson. She was baptized at home and confirmed at Saron Lutheran Church, rural Erskine, MN. She attended McIntosh High School, graduating in 1952. While working at Leon & Edie's Café in Erskine, Dorothy met her future husband Gordon Johnson. On September 4, 1954, Dorothy was united in marriage to Gordon Johnson at the Grace Lutheran Church Parsonage in Erskine, MN. Shortly after their marriage they moved to the Iron Range where Gordon worked construction. Later they moved to Red Lake Falls where Gordon worked at the Creamery and Dorothy stayed home to raise the family. They eventually moved west of St. Hilaire, MN and started farming and in 1966 they moved to their current farm in River Falls Township where they have continued to reside. She was employed for a time at JC Penny in Thief River Falls and Dorothy also worked as a medical aide in the nursing department at Valley Home, Thief River Falls, MN for 21 years. Following her retirement in 1999, Dorothy worked at Kum & Go in Thief River Falls. Dorothy was a member of Our Saviour's Free Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls and had been active in WMF. The most important part of Dorothy's life was her family and having the time to hold her grandchildren & great-grandchildren throughout the years. She also maintained beautiful flower gardens and a large yard with her husband Gordon. Survivors include her loving husband of 58 years, Gordon of St. Hilaire, MN; children, Deborah (Rance) Berggren of Fairbanks, AK, Ronald (Debra) Johnson of Grand Rapids, MN, Wayne (Sheila) Johnson of St. Hilaire, MN; grandchildren, Mitchell (fiancé, Melissa), Kari (Mike), Nicki (Marc), Chelsea (fiancé, Ryan), Preston (Kristina), Chasity (Travis); great-grandchildren, Ashton, Austin, Aren, Brandon, Mariah, Jayden, Chase, Blake, Dawson, Mikaela, Ryder, Knox; sisters, Bertha Jacobson of Renton, WA and Gladys Fladhammer of Erskine, MN; brother, Adolph (Carolyn) Nelson of Fosston, MN; her kitty; and many other relatives and friends. She is preceded in death by her infant daughter, Nancee Rae; grand-daughter, Angela Rae; parents; sister, Annie Shaver; brothers, Ernest and Norman Nelson; and a brother in infancy. Family condolences may be sent to www.johnsonfuneralservice.com