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Gladys M. Johnson age 95, passed away Wednesday, March 25, 2008 at the Parmly Residence in Chisago City, MN. She was born June 7, 1912, on the Deergarden Farm and graduated from Lakeside High School, just across Highway 8 from the farm.

On March 23, 1933 she married Roy A. Johnson and moved to their farm north of Lindstrom on Sunrise Lake where she lived for the next 60 years. As she wrote about those days, "The year turned out to be a terrible depression, no rain for one thing and no money." Roy was a good farmer and together they paid off the Federal Land Bank loan years later. Starting out without running water or electricity in the Little House, Gladys seemed to always be cooking and baking for the family and hired men. They worked hard and built a beautiful and successful farm where family live today. Roy died in 1983 the year of their Golden Anniversary and his mother's 100th birthday (Mother Alice went on to live another 10 years!).

Gladys was responsible for the chicken operation on the farm; fed them and picked eggs twice a day for many years. She kept a large vegetable garden and especially enjoyed growing and arranging flowers. She was active in the Garden Club, Farm Bureau and Hospital Auxiliary. Although she never learned to drive, she seldom missed a social event in the community. She was a long time leader of the Dedon Hustler 4-H Club passing on her love of cooking and baking to youngsters. She even went into the catering business with friends. As she wrote, "Hardly a Saturday night went by that I didn't have a wedding or anniversary to serve." The menu was usually turkey salad and homemade biscuits for 200. She also entered her baked and canned goods at the County and State Fairs. She won top prizes for breads, cookies, beet pickles and apple jelly.

After Roy died she spent winters at the "Good Life" in Mesa, Arizona where she continued braiding rugs, quilting, baking and entertaining. She moved to Shogren Apartments in Lindstrom and spent the last five years in Vindauga View assisted living at Parmly, where her grandmother Martha Mattson who came from Sweden was the first Matron of the Bethesda Old Peoples' Home in 1902, as Parmly was first known.

Her enduring faith sustained her throughout her long and happy life. She was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church for over 70 years and sang in the choir. Her lovely alto vice could be heard in solos and in harmony duets.

In addition to her husband, Roy, she was preceded in death by her sister Evelyn Severson and brother Paul (Farley) Peterson. She is survived by her daughter Carol (Richard) Flynn of Minneapolis and son James (Sandra) Johnson of Seattle, Wash., grandchildren: Steven Flynn, St. Paul; Kathleen Flynn (Craig Anderson), Lind- strom; Jenifer Johnson, Seattle, Wash.; great-grandchildren: Sean and Megan Scannell. She is also survived by her brother Donald (Dolores) Peterson of Scandia.

A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held at 2 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, 13025 Newell Avenue, Lindstrom, Sunday, April 27. Memorials are preferred to Parmly LifePointes or Trinity Lutheran Church.

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