Gudrun Dorothy Johnson

Gudrun Dorothy Johnson, age 102, of Brainerd, passed away at Diamond Willow Assisted Living, on Friday, August 13, 2021. Gudrun was born in Nokay Lake Township to Wesley & Jergina (Pederson) Swartout. She attended country school for 8 years. Gudrun married Arthur Johnson, and they farmed near Brainerd before moving to Brownsdale in 1947. They then moved back to Brainerd in 1955. She loved the area and spending time with family and friends. Gudrun was very active in Bethel Lutheran Church and later, Bethlehem Lutheran Church. After Art passed away, she married Verner Johnson. They moved to Nisswa and loved to go fishing and visiting. Later in life Gudrun worked as a Matron at Washington High School. Her favorite job was being a foster grandma to the children at the Brainerd women’s shelter. She did that for 20 years, retiring at the age of 90. Gudrun also decided to quit driving at that time, sold her car, but somehow managed to never take the bus. She was always busy, going and doing. She continued to knit and crochet until the age of 102! She was also still living on her own in an apartment until 1 week before she turned 102, when she moved to Diamond Willow, in Baxter. Left to cherish her memory are her son, Jim (Betty) Johnson; daughter, Shirley (Basil) O’Neil; grandchildren; Rich (Sandy), Ronda (Ted), Tom (Jodi), Wesley and Jimmy; great-grandchildren: Leigha (Logan), Aaron, Joel, Benjamin, Alaina, Lauren, Samantha, Whitney and Wade; great-great grandchildren; Lucy and Hendrich; and many nieces and nephews. Gudrun is preceded in death by her parents; first husband, Art; second husband, Vern; siblings: John (Harriet) Swartout, Earl (Fern) Swartout, Herbert (Irene) Swartout, Ernie (Lillian) Swartout, Elvera Johnson, Marcella (Bert) Albertson, Della (George) Shanks, Pearl (Darryl) Miller; son, Freddie Johnson; son-in-law, Ron Embertson; grandchildren: LeRoy, Sheryl and David. Funeral service for Gudrun will be held on Friday, August 20, 2021, at 11AM at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, with visitation one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at Evergreen Cemetery. The family wishes to thank the Good Neighbor’s, Diamond Willow and St Croix Hospice, for their excellent care these last many months. Memorials are preferred to the Bethlehem Lutheran Church C/O Mid MN Women's Center.