Leona M. Johnson

Leona M. Johnson, 96, Grand Forks, ND, died Tuesday, April 10, 2018 at Sheyenne Crossings, West Fargo, ND.   Leona Mariam (Perry) Johnson was born at Barboursville, West Virginia on February 18, 1922 to Virgil Guy and Angelina (Clay) Perry. After graduation in 1940, she moved to Hallock, MN with her Uncle, Andrew Clay to work in his drug store. In 1941 she attended Demmer's School of Beauty in Grand Forks, ND.  She began working at that profession in Hallock, MN, in a shop she and a friend bought from her Aunt.   She met the love of her life, Jim Johnson in the spring of 1942 and they were married later that year. Jim left to serve in the Air Force in November of 1942, but the Newlyweds were able to spend some R&R time together at bases around the USA until Jim deployed for Italy.   Their first son, (Bob) was born in 1944. Leona moved to Seattle with Jim's parents to work in the Boeing factory, soldering wires on B-29 bombers. After the war, they returned to Hallock and three more sons were born between 1947 and 1959. Leona assumed the role of a typical mother and housewife after the birth of Don, taking great pride in a clean home and happy household.   While in Hallock, she was active in the American Legion Auxiliary, Homemakers and Curling clubs.   The family moved to Grand Forks in 1967, and she spent the rest of her days there until moving into assisted living at Sheyenne Crossings, West Fargo, ND in 2013.   Leona enjoyed the outdoors and was always ready to go camping and fishing. Her skill at catching fish was legendary. She also enjoyed camping at racetracks when Bob, Lois and family were active in sports car racing. Later in retirement, she traded in the tent for a nice trailer just off Lake Cormorant and enjoyed the lake life during the summer months. Leona is Survived by sons, Robert (Lois), Donald (Penny), and Paul (Elaine), as well as 8 grandsons and 9 great-grandchildren. She also is survived by two brothers and one sister.   She was preceded in death by her husband of 70 years, James, and an infant son, William. Funeral Services will be 10:30 AM Saturday, April 21, 2018 at Amundson Funeral Home, Grand Forks, Visitation will be for the hour before the service in the funeral home. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery of Hallock, MN. The family requests any memorials go to: Alzheimer's Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC, 20090-6011 website: WWW.ALZ.ORG. Arrangements are with Amundson Funeral Home of Grand Forks. www.amundsonfuneralhome.com.