Bernadine Johnson

 Bernadine Thyra (DeGroat) Johnson died on March 10th, 2025, at the age of 91, at Green Pines Acres Nursing Home in Menahga, MN.

Bernadine was born on October 26, 1933, in Marshall, MN, to Gertrude (Lindsay) and Alfred DeGroat. She was the oldest of 5 siblings with two brothers and 2 sisters. She graduated from Renville High School in 1952. She gained employment in a nursing home in Marshall, MN. At a dance she met Airman William Pulley and they married in 1953. They lived on Air Force bases in Minnesota and Dallas, Texas. One daughter was born to this union. She was then married to Gordon Lottman on December 28, 1955, who lovingly adopted her daughter. This marriage was blessed with 8 children. Gordon and Bernadine farmed together in Raymond, Glenwood, and Menahga areas until Gordon’s death in 1983. When answering an ad in the local paper for a housekeeper, she met and later married Russell Thompson in 1984. They lived on the Thompson homestead in rural New York Mills, MN. She enjoyed over the road trucking with Russell until his death in 1990. She spent the next few years traveling. She moved back to Menahga in 1993 and met and married Louis Johnson in 2004. They currently lived at Green Wood Connections in Menahga.

Bernadine was a faithful member and servant of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She was sealed in the temple to Gordon in 1972, She loved serving in the temple and had many callings in the church including missions to England and Canada.

Bernadine enjoyed spending time gardening, crocheting, making quilts, and baking. She made some of the best bread and caramel rolls, that were enjoyed by family and friends. Later in life she spent most of her time babysitting her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, during which she added peanut butter fudge and creamy ramen noodles to her list of goodies.

Bernadine is survived by her husband Louis Johnson, of Menahga MN; children, Paula (Willard) Wevley of Menahga, MN, Leann (Don) Harris of Rexburg ID, Henry Lottman of Sebeka, MN, Cynthia (Ray) Jahn of Watertown, WI, Deanna Lottman, Boscobel WI, Carla (Onnie) Tapio of Sebeka, MN, and Kristine (Steve) Bachler of Big Lake, MN; sister, Sandy Wallert of Danube, MN; 26 grandchildren; 76 great-grandchildren; and 10 great-great-grandchildren; as well as other relatives and friends.

Bernadine was preceded in death by her parents, Alfred and Gertrude; infant twin sons, James and Timothy; her husbands, William, Gordon, and Russell; brothers, Raymond and Thomas DeGroat; sister, JoeAnn Ross (DeGroat); and great-grandchildren, Izaahk Thomas Kruft, Brylee Stella Harris, and Carter Fay Harris.

Funeral service for Bernadine will be held on Thursday, March 20, 2025, at 1:00 pm at Wevley Funeral Home in Sebeka, MN, with a time for visitation 2 hours before. Interment will take place at St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery in Raymond, MN, on Friday, March 21, 2025, at 2:00pm. Arrangements entrusted to Wevley Funeral Home of Sebeka, Minnesota. Online Guestbook ~ www.wevleyfuneralhome.com

If you are unable to join in person, please join us via live stream:

https://vimeo.com/event/5000534