Alice Johnson 02/25/2024

Alice Marie Johnson, age 91 of River Falls, WI, died on Sunday, February 25, 2024, at Kinnic Health & Rehab in River Falls. Alice was born in Long Prairie, MN in 1932 to Clem and Dorothy Claseman. She was the middle child with an older sister, Doris, and a younger brother, John. She had a happy and fulfilling childhood in a small-town setting. Alice attended Catholic school and sang in the church choir. Music was a big part of her life.

In 1949, Alice met Denny Johnson at Dreamland Auditorium Roller Rink. He was from a neighboring town and their love story began. He gave her a diamond ring on the day of her high school graduation. Together they had six beautiful children that they raised on the family farm. While living in Eagle Bend, Alice enjoyed league bowling, garden club, being a church organist and choir member and nurturing deep friendships that she held dear to this day.

After living in Eagle Bend for 43 years, Alice and Dennis moved to River Falls, WI where they found another welcoming community. While living in River Falls, she enjoyed the church choir, making new friends, playing Euchre, and being a part of a loving, supportive community.

Alice Johnson was a woman of formidable strength. Her work ethic, while living on the farm, was relentless. She created a beautiful, welcoming home for her family and opened her doors eagerly to everyone who walked through them. Wherever she lived, she always made new friends and cherished them to her final days. Her grace helped her endure five hip surgeries and live her life as a handicapped person with acceptance. She sought to find the positive in every situation. She always greeted you with a smiling face and genuine laugh. She was a small woman filled with great love.

Preceding Alice in death are her parents, Clem and Dorothy Claseman; her husband, Denny Johnson; their infant daughter, Karen Lee Johnson; son-in-law, Bill Grones; and sister, Doris Falk. Surviving are her children, Janet (Fred) Schneider, Barb (Lenny) Katterhagen, Mark Johnson, David (Theresa) Johnson, Mary (Jeff) Parsons, Nancy Johnson; her many grandchildren, Gary (Katie) Johnson, Aric Katterhagen, Ben (Beth) Johnson, Chris (Amy) Johnson, Sara Johnson, Anna O’Halloran-Johnson, Fiona (Johnny) O’Halloran-Johnson, Celestine (Brian) O’Halloran-Johnson, Max (McKenna) Grones, Mara Parsons; her great-grandchildren, Kyle Johnson, Ryan Johnson and Kendal Johnson, Andrew Johnson, Veronica Johnson, Brendan Johnson, Cora Johnson, Hayley Johnson, Camille Johnson, Blaise Johnson, Darrius Robinson, and D’ante Haywood; and brother, John (Mary) Claseman.

Mass of Christian Burial was on Saturday, March 2, 2024, at 12 noon at St. Bridget Catholic Church 211 E Division Street River Falls, WI. Visitation will also be on Saturday from 11 am – 12 noon at the church. Interment will be in St. Bridget Cemetery at a later date. Arrangements are with Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services.

Click here to watch the recording of Alice’s service