Ila Lindelien Johnson, 80
Published 7:00 am Tuesday, January 7, 2020
Ila Lindelien Johnson, 80, of Grand Meadow, Minnesota, passed away Thursday, Jan. 2, 2020, at home.
Ila Lindelien Johnson, 80
Ila was born March 11, 1939, at home to Bennie and Johnabell Lindelien. She graduated from Grand Meadow High School in 1957. She attended Luther College for one year and transferred to the University of Minnesota, where she graduated in 1961 with a degree in home economics education and a minor in science.
On June 24, 1961, she married John Roger Johnson. It was at this same time that Ila was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She was treated and survived. In 2018 and 2019, Mayo Clinic recognized Ila as the longest cancer survivor, a recognition of which she was proud. After their wedding, Ila and Roger settled on a farm in Grand Meadow. They lived briefly in Stewartville, Minnesota, before moving back to Grand Meadow, where they remained. They welcomed their son Brad and daughter Candice into their family in 1965 and 1968, respectively. Ila taught home economics for 35 years in Rose Creek, Minnesota, Elkton, Minnesota, Stewartville, Spring Valley, Minnesota, and Grand Meadow. She was a Master Advisor with over 18 years of service in FHA/FLA. She retired in 1996. During her retirement, she was involved with the Red Hat Society, Meals on Wheels, Book Clubs, Sunday school, Church Council and was a Master Gardener. Ila loved people; she had a way of making everyone she encountered feel special. She loved everyone and everyone loved her.
Ila was preceded in death by her parents, Bennie and Johnabell Lindelien. She is survived by her loving husband, Roger; her son, Brad (Michelle) Johnson; her daughter, Candice (John) Leinenkugel; her grandchildren, Kelsey, Carter, Sierra, Sophie and Katrina; her sisters, Sharon Essling, Pat McSay and Jane Kahl; and brother, David Lindelien.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2020, at Grand Meadow Lutheran Church. Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 10, 2020, at Grand Meadow Lutheran Church and will continue for one hour prior to the service on Saturday at the church.
