Myrtle J. Johnson, 88, died on Friday, June 6, 2008 at Thief River Care Center in Thief River Falls, MN.

Funeral service will be 10:30AM Tuesday, June 10, 2008 at Redeemer Lutheran Church, Thief River Falls, MN with Reverend Mark Helgeland officiating. Burial will be at Greenwood Cemetery, Thief River Falls.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM with a 7:00 PM prayer service on Monday, June 9, 2008 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN. Visitation will also be held for one hour prior to the funeral at the church.

Myrtle Jeanette Stromberg was born April 12, 1920 in Pennington County, MN, the daughter of Carl and Gustava (Rafteseth) Stromberg. She was baptized and confirmed at Rindal Church and attended Rosebank School, just north of Rosewood, MN. Myrtle started high school, but when her mother died, she had to stay home and keep house for her father and 3 brothers.

On March 15, 1942, Myrtle was united in marriage to Ray Johnson at the Bethesda Swedish Lutheran Church north of East Grand Forks, MN by Rev. Ainer Bloom, the same pastor who had confirmed Ray in 1930. The couple farmed the home farm in North Township near Thief River Falls until 1956 when they moved into Thief River Falls.

Myrtle loved flower gardening, needlework and crafts.

She is survived by husband, Ray, Thief River Falls, MN; granddaughter, Kathryn (Brian) Jacobson of Thief River Falls, MN; step brother, Harvey (Venise) Hanson and John (Joyce) Hanson; and several nieces and nephews.

Myrtle was preceded in death by a infant daughter, Myrna Rae; parents; brothers, Elvester, Clarence and Clifford Stromberg; step brothers, Arnold, Ray and Harold Hanson; step sisters, Alice Brubakken, Margaret Hipsher, Esther Brubakken, Doris Larson and Lucille Bergman.

Family condolences may be sent to www.johnsonfuneralservice.com