Janice Marie Johnson

Janice Marie (Hawkins) Johnson, age 75, of Menahga, MN died on November 18, 2010 at Greenwood Connections Nursing Facility in Menahga, MN. Janice was born oldest daughter to Benjamin and Carol (Hoskins) Hawkins on October 9, 1935, In St. Cloud, MN. Janice, Elden, Franklin, and Carolyn lived in the Minneapolis, MN area until 1947 when the family relocated to Sterling, IL. All four children attended Sterling, IL schools until Janice left high school, her sophomore year to gain employment to help her family. In 1954, Janice met George Edward Johnson, who had settled in Sterling, IL, the year prior to gain employment at Northwestern Steel and Wire Company and the couple were married on July 18, 1954 in Sterling. They had 5 daughters, Lillian (Infant death at 3 days old), Julia, Georgine, Margaret, and Faye. The couple and their children were members of Messiah Lutheran Church of Sterling, where all daughters were baptized (except Margaret who had an emergency hospital baptism), raised and confirmed, their daughters. George and Janice remained members of Messiah Lutheran Church where Janice enjoyed serving in The Ladies Aid, and singing in the church choir, where Easter Sunday Hats and attire were a MUST ... until 1981, when George retired from Northwestern Steel and Wire after 31 years, and relocated George, Janice, and Faye back to rural Menahga, MN. For many years Janice was employed as a waitress at various establishments in the Sterling Area, raising her daughters, attending to their daughter’s activities, visiting with her brother's and sister's families, kept many friends, and frequently bowled on leagues. The family enjoyed many visits to Menahga, Iron Range, and Cloquet areas to visit family, and tent camping to many Illinois, and Minnesota locations. Janice continued to waitress in the Park Rapids Area when George retired and soon changed her vocation to Certified Nursing Assistant with the Becker and Wadena County Hospice Care, and then finished her High School Education to become certified to dispense meds while employed for 12 years at the Green Pine Acres Nursing Home (Greenwood Connections) of Menahga where she retired in 1994. George and Janice were active members of Redeemer Lutheran Church of Menahga, MN. Janice is survived by one brother, Elden Hawkins of Park Rapids, MN; one sister Carolyn Grim and her husband Bill; four daughters, Julia Scott and husband Bruce of Rock Falls, IL, Georgine Gilmour and husband Jon of Minneapolis, MN, Margaret Chartraw and husband Michael of Monticello, MN, and Faye Lynn Fulfs and husband Mark of New York Mills, MN; 9 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren, many nieces, nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews. Janice is preceded in death by her husband, George Johnson, her parents Benjamin and Carol (Byrd) Hawkins, one brother, Franklin Hawkins of Rock Falls, IL and an infant daughter, Lillian Carol of Sterling, IL. Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 PM Monday, November 22, 2010 at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church of Sebeka, MN, with Pastor Ben Carlsen officiating. Visitation will be held two hours prior to the service at the church. Hilda Mary Schoon will serve as organist. Special music will be provided by son-in-law Mark Fulfs singing “The Lord’s Prayer and “On Eagles Wings.” Congregation Hymns will be “Amazing Grace” and “The Old Rugged Cross.” Honorary Pallbearers will be all of her Grandchildren and great grand children. Active Casketbearers will be Bruce Scott, Michael Chartraw, Matthew Fulfs, Jon Gilmour, Nathan Nyren and Jeremiah Potter. Interment will be at Jim Cook Cemetery immediately following the funeral and luncheon will be provided by WELCA of Our Saviour's Lutheran Church.