Julie Jane Johnson, 65
Julie Jane Johnson, 65, passed away April 11, 2017, in Grand Forks, N.D., surrounded by her family.
Born March 15, 1952 in Fargo, N.D., Julie Jane Borud grew up on a farm outside of Galesburg, N. D., where she spent her days working in the barn and in the field. She loved to help her father milk the cows and work the horses. After her high school education at Clifford Galesburg High School, Julie attended Valley City State University to earn a teaching degree. She was hired in January 1974 to teach elementary school in the Humboldt – St. Vincent and eventually Kittson Central school districts.
From 1989 to 1991, Julie balanced both work and her babies to commute every day to the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, where she earned a master’s degree in Elementary Administra-tion. Upon the completion of her advanced degree, Julie became the sole teacher for grades K-8 in a one-room schoolhouse in St. Vincent, Minn., where she taught for the rest of her 32-year career.
Julie married Gary Johnson, Humboldt, Minn., on July 25, 1976. He brought to the marriage Loree, Lee, and Lynda, and together they added to their family Justin, Amey, Kelly, and Rebecca. Julie always joked that she wanted a large family of eight children. She didn’t make it all the way to that goal, but adored her bustling home filled with a loving husband, seven children and many grandchildren. Although Julie and Gary started their marriage living in Humboldt, she eventually convinced him to build a home on the family farm just outside of town. She was a true farm-girl who loved the peace of her quiet farmyard.
Julie was devoted to her church, her community, her friends and her family. She spent many years as the treasurer of St. Vincent Township, President of the Kittson County Volunteer Ambulance service, treasurer of the United Methodist Women at Humboldt United Methodist Church, Worthy Matron of the Order of the Eastern Star and Page for General Grand Chapter, 4-H Leader, Humboldt Centennial Committee treasurer and Sunday School teacher at HUMC.
She also spent many hours pursuing her favorite hobby of reading. Julie’s strength of spirit, generosity, and compassion were evident to all, and though her time on earth was much too short, her memory will live on in our hearts forever.
Julie is survived by her devoted husband Gary, daughter Loree (Robert) VonRuden, Waunakee, Wis.; son Lee Johnson, Humboldt; daughter Lynda (Bruce) Cassels, Humboldt; son Justin (Katy) Johnson, Baudette, Minn.; daughter Amey (Ryan) Swenson, Lancaster, Minn.; daughter Kelly (Brent) Knoblauch, Senoia, Ga.; daughter Rebecca (Blake) Johnson, Robbin, Minn.; grandchildren Melissa, Abigail, Kasey, Zach, Allie, Gracie, Emma, Trevor, Everleigh, Holden, Finn, and new baby J; and great-grandchildren Briella and Mason. Julie is also survived by her mother Janice Borud, Fargo; sister Alice Borud, Fargo, ND; sister Ellen (Scott) Kraling, Baxter, Minn.; brother Paul (Stephanie) Borud, Riverview, Fla.; sister-in-law Amy (Norman) Ellingson; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her father Herman Borud and sister Karla (Jim) Werner.
A Celebration of Life service is scheduled for Saturday, April 22, 11 a.m. at the Humboldt United Methodist Church. Visit-ation will be Friday evening, April 21, from 6 – 8 p.m., with prayer service starting at 7 p.m.
Donations to be used for mission projects in honor of Julie’s life can be sent to the Julie Johnson Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 25, Humboldt, MN 56731.
Austin Funeral Chapel, Hallock, is in charge of the arrangements.
