Lorae Johnson, 47, died on Wednesday, January 12, 2011 at Sanford Hospital in Thief River Falls, MN with her loving family and friends at her side.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM on Monday, January 17, 2011 at Zion Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls, MN with Rev. John Golv officiating. Burial will follow the funeral service at Greenwood Cemetery in Thief River Falls.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM with a 7:00 PM prayer service on Sunday, January 16, 2011 at Zion Lutheran Church, Thief River Falls, MN. Visitation will also be held from 9:30 AM until 10:30 AM at the church on Monday.

Lorae Margaret Johnson, the daughter of Ray and Kathy (Peterson) Wagner was born March 14, 1963 at Lutheran Deaconess Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She was baptized on June 9, 1963 at Nazareth Lutheran Church in Holt, MN and confirmed on May 14, 1978 at Zion Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls. Lorae attended grade school, middle school and high school all in Thief River Falls. She graduated with the Prowler Class of 1981.

After high school, Lorae completed the medical secretary program at the AVTI in Thief River Falls on June 10, 1982. On July 2, 1983, she was united in marriage to Jeff Johnson at Zion Lutheran Church. On January 24, 1990 their daughter, Lindsay was born in Minneapolis, MN, and on March 28, 1990, Jeff and Lorae proudly adopted Lindsay Rae in Worthington, MN. Lorae worked at the City Clerks office in Thief River Falls.

Lorae will be remembered for the love she had for her family. She was always a very content and happy person. Spending time with her friends and family was a priority for her. She enjoyed working in her flower gardens, feeding the birds in her yard, taking long walks with her friends, and taking care of her dogs and cats. One of her favorite things to do was watch the Food Network Channel, which was something she looked forward to up until her death.

Lorae is survived by her husband, Jeff and her daughter, Lindsay (Ben Nelson) all of Thief River Falls, MN; her grandson, Kaiden; parents, Ray and Kathy Wagner of Thief River Falls, MN; brothers, Kent (Kristy) Wagner of Thief River Falls, MN, and Kurt (Beth) Wagner of Moorhead, MN; father-in-law, Lyle Johnson of Thief River Falls, MN; mother-in-law, Sharon Johnson of Thief River Falls, MN; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Marlin Johnson, Scott (Sandy) Johnson, Tim (Cheryl) Johnson, Teresa (Lenny) Johnson, Jill (Jay) Knott, and Bobby (Jessica) Houle, all of Thief River Falls, MN; and several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends.

Preceding Lorae in death are her grandparents, Anton and Augot Wagner, and Hartley and Margaret Peterson; her foster grandparents, Lars and Elvera Ring; and her uncle, Donovan Peterson.

ORGANIST: Phyllis Dalager
PIANIST: Diane Johnson
SOLOIST: Joel and Laura Rude, and Diane Johnson
SELECTIONS:
CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS: Precious Lord, Take My Hand & Bourning Cry
PALLBEARERS: Kent Wagner, Kurt Wagner, Ben Nelson, Darren Wagner, Jason Wagner, and Shawn Wagner, Josh Knott, and Tim Johnson
HONORARY PALLBEARERS: All of Loraes Family and Friends and Loraes Co-workers from the City of Thief River Falls