Thelma Johnston, 94, of Houston, Minn., passed away peacefully with family by her side on Monday, June 27, 2021, at Gundersen Health System in La Crosse, Wis.
Thelma Corrine Morken was born on August 30, 1926, to Obert and Cora (Ekre) Morken. She and her younger sister Grace grew up on the family farm in Yucatán Valley and attended Badger Country School. She graduated from Houston High School in 1944, and Mounds-Midway Academy in St Paul, Minn., as a registered nurse in 1947. It was war time and since she and classmates were considered cadets, the government paid for her education. After graduation she worked at the Veterans Hospital in Minneapolis, Minn.
Thelma later returned to Houston to marry Ralph Willis Johnston on March 19,1949.
She loved all aspects of being a farm wife, including growing a large garden and canning and freezing many fruits and vegetables. Thelma worked as a registered nurse (RN) for several years at Valley View Nursing Home in Houston. She was always proud of her RN status and would remind her medical caregivers at Heritage Court that she too was once a medical professional, most recently as she was getting the COVID vaccine. Her extended family always consulted with her first if they had a medical question.
Thelma adored babies, which is probably why she had five children over 10 years. Always the supportive mother, she enjoyed following her children’s extra-curricular activities and liked to watch her boys play all sports with the exception of football. (That must have been the nurse in her). When asked once how she juggled five kids, part-time work and being a farm wife, she said, It was fun and we were young.”
In her later years, Thelma loved her morning coffee and going on drives through the countryside with her children. Thelma is survived by her children Marsha, Ruth, Steven (Karen), and Susan (Jay Kaskel), all of the Twin Cities, and David (Tammy) of Houston; three grandchildren: Melissa (Dylan Burrow) Alison (Nick Culhane), and Carson; and great-grandchildren Tucker, Shelby, and Selene.
She was preceded in death by her husband Ralph and sister Grace Jore.
Thelma was active in Garden Club, Women of the ELCA/Ladies aid, PTA, and Music Mothers. She remained close to her friends from nursing school, attending regular reunions.
There will be a funeral service for Thelma at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, July 7, 2021, at Cross of Christ Lutheran Church in Houston with the Reverend Linda McPeak officiating. Burial will be in the Stone Church Cemetery in rural Houston. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service on Wednesday, at the church.
The family prefers memorials directed to Heritage Court, Cross of Christ Church, or Gundersen Hospice.
Please leave a memory of Thelma and sign her online guestbook at www.hofffuneral.com.
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