Carolyn M. Johnson, 57, of Rushford, Minn., died on Sunday, December 23, 2018, at Gundersen Health System in La Crosse, Wis., following a sudden brain aneurysm.
Carolyn Marie Hanson was born on November 22, 1961, in Winona, Minn., to Orvin and Beverly (Carpenter) Hanson. She was raised in Rushford and was a 1981 graduate of Rushford High School. For several years, during and following high school, Carolyn worked in the bakery at Rushford Foods. On August 19, 1989, she was united in marriage with Mark Johnson at Rushford Lutheran Church in Rushford. She later worked as a cook in the Rushford-Peterson Schools. For the last 21 years, Carolyn and her husband, Mark have owned and operated Norsland Lefse in Rushford where she managed the kitchen. Carolyn was a member of Rushford Lutheran Church and was a 4-H leader. Her family was the centerpiece of her life. She was very supportive and attended all her children’s activities. Carolyn was a very hardworking and loving person who was constantly doing for others. Carolyn’s heart was filled with so much love. She left this earth giving the gift of life to a multitude of others through organ donation.
She is survived by her husband Mark; mother Beverly Hanson of Rushford, two children: Paige (Charles) Martin-Stanley of Iowa City, Iowa, and Marshall Johnson of Rushford; four siblings: Wyanita (Bruce) Ferden of Forest Lake, Minn., Craig (Vicki) Hanson of Rushford, Lori (Terry) Pelzl of Cape Coral, Fla., and Larry Hanson of Rushford; sisters-in-law Jackie (Joe) Kjos, Christi (Scott) James, Brenda (Tom) Crews, and Michelle (Steve) Larson; 14 very special nieces and nephews; and 13 very special great-nieces and nephews.
Carolyn was preceded in death by her father, Orvin Hanson and mother-in-law, Beverly Johnson.
There will be a funeral service for Carolyn at 1 p.m. Saturday, January 5, 2019, at Rushford Lutheran Church, with the Reverend Steve Chellew officiating. Burial will be in the Rushford Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. on Friday at Hoff Funeral and Cremation Service in Rushford and one hour prior to the service on Saturday at the Church.