Theodor Johannessen JOHNSON

Other Events and Attributes:

• MN Death Cert Checked: Y
• Minnesota Death Certificate: 1925-MN-010522
• Baptism: 9 Apr 1848, Stiklestad, Verdal, Nord-Trøndelag, Norway
• Confirmation: 4 Oct 1863, Verdal, Nord-Trøndelag, Norway

Notes:

His parents’ farm was Maritvold Ørm (or Øren?) according to his birth record.

In the 1865 Norwegian census he was Teodor Johannessen, a 19 year-old male servant on the farm of the Olsens and Olsdatters (6 unmarried brothers and sisters) on Leirfald vestre in Vinne, Værdalens.

Emigrated to the U.S. in 1870; came to Fergus Falls in 1875 (the first of his siblings to do so). “He went into the butcher business and made a name for himself in town, at least with the Norwegian population. He was also a prominent figure in the free church congregation there.”



Notes in the remarks column of his birth entry: “Att. Amerika 17.04.1870.”This is correct. The church book records Theodor Johannessen Leirfald emigrating from Verdal to Amerika on April 17, 1870.

In the 1875 state census, Theodore, Martha, and Gilmer are living in Fergus Falls.

In the 1880 census (June 21st), Theodore Johnson was a butcher living in Fergus Falls. His family consisted of himself, 32, Martha, 34, Gitmer, 5, Conrad, 2, and Thorval, 3 months. Theodore and Martha were born in Norway, Gitmer in Wisconsin, and the other two boys in Minnesota. The family also had four boarders living with them, one of whom was Martinus E Bye, 32.

In the 1885 state census, Theodor, Martha, Gilmar, and Konrad are living in Fergus Falls. Living with them is 68 year-old Jens Evenson. Their next-door neighbor is Martin Orfal and his wife Marie. And living with the Orfals is 68 year-old Martha Aune.

In the 1895 state census, Theo, Martha, Gilmer, Conrad, and Sophie, along with Jens Evenson, are living in Fergus Falls. Theo and Gilmer, both shown as butchers, are shown as having lived in the U.S., and in Fergus Falls, for 19 years.

In the 1900 census, he and his family are living on Bismark Avenue in Fergus Falls, just a few houses away from the newly-married Hans and Marie Bye. It’s just Gilmar and Conrad left of the kids. Also living with the family is Martha’s father Jens Evenson, a “nephew” Fonzio (sp?) Whist, 24, born in Norway, and an adopted daughter, Sophia.

In the 1902 Fergus Falls city directory, he owns a meat market at 222 Bismarck Avenue E and resides there as well with his wife Martha C and Miss Sophie Johnson. His sons Gilmer and Conrad also live at 222 Bismarck.

In the 1905 state census, the household, at 222 Bismark Avenue in Fergus Falls, consists of Theodore, Mrs. Martha, Gilmer, Conrad, Mrs. Lizzie (Conrad’s new wife), Ellen S. Johnson, 21, and Gyda Johnson, age 7.

He was the informant for the information on his wife’s death certificate. At that time he was living on Bismark Avenue in Fergus Falls.

As Theo Johnson, he was one of the charter members of Trønderlag of America in 1908. This was (and still is) the bygdelag for emigrants and their descendants from the Trøndelag region of Norway. Theo claimed to come from the Lerfald farm. “Theodore Johnson (Leirfald)”, of Fergus Falls and from Vårdalen, was listed in the Trønderlaget’s 1910 yearbook. In that yearbook, Theodore is shown as having emigrated to the U.S. in 1870.

In the 1910 census, he is a widower living not far from his two married sons who are managing the butcher shop. Theodore is the “proprietor.” Sophia is still single and living with him and they also have 16 year-old Edward Johnson living with them. Edward is a wagon driver for the butcher shop.

In the 1920 census, he is a widower living on Washington Avenue, Fergus Falls, not far from his son Conrad. His occupation is owner, butcher shop.

He died of pneumonia. The informant for his death certificate was his son Conrad who had no idea who his father’s parents were. Theodore’s residence at death was 222 Washington Avenue. He was a widower.

There were no residences remaining on Washington Avenue in 2008. According to Chris, Theo’s butcher shop was torn down in 2007 and the location is now a parking lot.

Theo and his family belonged to the Norwegian Free Church in Fergus Falls, now known as Zion Lutheran Church. Theo was known as “Butcher Johnson.”

His granddaughter’s father-in-law, Elias Pederson, officiated at Theo’s funeral.

Died:
he died at home of pneumonia, the Dalby Database has his date of death as April 12th

Buried:
this cemetery is or was also known as Mount Faith

Theodor married Martha Catrine Jensdatter on 4 Jul 1872 in Eau Claire, Eau Claire County, Wisconsin. Martha (daughter of Jens Evenson and Karen Hansdatter ØREN) was born on 30 Jan 1844 in Stiklestad, Verdal, Nord-Trøndelag, Norway; died on 22 Oct 1908 in Fergus Falls, Otter Tail County, Minnesota; was buried on 27 Oct 1908 in Oak Grove Cemetery, Fergus Falls, Otter Tail County, Minnesota. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• MN Death Cert Checked: Y
• Minnesota Death Certificate: 1918-MN-013277

Notes:

Gilmer and Marie live not far from Conrad and Theodore in Fergus Falls in the 1910 census. Gilmer is the manager of the family butcher shop.

His obit in the 16 October 1918 edition of the Fergus Falls newspaper:

Gilmer Johnson, one of the well known residents of this city, died at 11 PM Tuesday evening at the home of his father, Theo Johnson, on Bismarck Avenue from pneumonia.

Mr. Johnson was born in this city and was 44 years of age at the time of his death. He had been in North Dakota engaged in wheat buying when he was taken ill. He is survived by his wife and one son who will have general and sincere sympathy.

His wife has been at International Falls on a visit with her brothers and it has been impossible to reach her by wire since he was taken ill, possibly on account of the derangements of the wire service owing to the forest fires. The funeral arrangements will be announced later.

Gilmer was a victim of the so-called “Spanish Flu” epidemic. His death certificate says that he died from influenza with double central and broncho-pneumonia.

Gilmer married Marie Margareta REHN on 30 Oct 1907 in Otter Tail County, Minnesota. Marie was born about 1885 in Sweden; died in Mar 1974 in Salem, Marion County, Oregon; was buried in Belcrest Memorial Park, Salem, Marion County, Oregon. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• MN Death Cert Checked: Y
• Minnesota Death Certificate: 1946-MN-011614
• Occupation: Meat Cutter
• Social Security Number: 470-10-9556

Notes:

Conrad and family were living next door to his father on Bismark Avenue in Fergus Falls in the 1910 census. Conrad is a butcher in the family butcher shop.

He registered for the draft on September 12, 1918, in Fergus Falls. He lives at 218 Washington Avenue East in Fergus Falls. He works in his father’s meat market at 222 Washington Avenue. His nearest relative is his wife, Lizzie Johnson. He is of medium height and build with blue eyes and brown hair.

In the 1920 census, Conrad and his family live on Washington Avenue in Fergus Falls, not far from Conrad’s father. Also living with the family is Lizzie’s sister, Ragna Lunde. Conrad is a shopman in a meat shop.

In the 1930 census, the family is still on Washington Avenue in Fergus Falls. Thora has left home but Margaret is still at home and living there with her new husband. Also living with the family is Ragna Lunde and boarder named Ernest Haeuser.

In the 1935/36 Fergus Falls city directory, he and Lisse reside at 218 Washington Avenue East. In the 1937/38 Fergus Falls city directory, his address is the same but his occupation is shown as meat cutter. In the 1939/40 Fergus Falls city directory, their telephone number is 126.

He was living at 218 Washington Avenue in Fergus Falls when he died of hypertension and cardiovascular disease.

His obituary from the May 13, 1946, edition of the Fergus Falls Daily Journal:

Conrad Johnson, 69, died Sunday at 11 AM at his home at 218 East Washington. He has been afflicted with a heart ailment for the last four years and, though unable to work, he has been up and around each day.

Mr. Johnson was born in this city on 24 August 1877 and would have been 69 on his next birthday. Conrad was associated with his father in the meat business and, after the business was discontinued, he was employed in other meat markets in this city. He was married on 29 August 1904 to Miss Liza (Lizzie) Lunde. He was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church. Funeral arrangements are pending word from the son in South America to whom a cablegram has been sent.

Conrad married Lisa LUNDE on 29 Aug 1904 in Fergus Falls, Otter Tail County, Minnesota. Lisa (daughter of Asle Nielsen LUNDE and Syverinde Monsdatter BJONE) was born on 12 Aug 1879 in Minnesota; died on 15 Apr 1968 in Fergus Falls, Otter Tail County, Minnesota; was buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Fergus Falls, Otter Tail County, Minnesota. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Single and living with Theodore’s family in the 1895, 1900, 1905, and 1910 censuses. In the 1905 census she is shown as Ellen S.

In the Fergus Falls city directories, she is Miss Sophie Johnson, never with an occupation.

She is not the person in Minnesota death certificates 1910-MN-009515, 1918-MN-012997, or 1918-MN-013677.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Minnesota Birth Certificate: 1913-21075

Notes:

In the 1940 census, he, as Thomas J Craig, and Muriel lived in Superior, Wisconsin. He was a clerk in a coal office.

Family/Spouse: Muriel Arbutus OLSON. Muriel (daughter of Harold OLSON and Margaret J ANDERSON) was born on 22 Mar 1915 in Wisconsin; died on 18 Nov 2001 in Wisconsin; was buried in Greenwood Cemetery, Superior, Douglas County, Wisconsin. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Minnesota Birth Certificate: 1905-18837
• Minnesota Death Certificate: 1996-MN-036430

Notes:

She lived in Barnesville at the time of her father’s death.

Thora married Norris Orvin BERGESON about 1925. Norris (son of Bennett BERGESON and Gurine (Carrie)) was born on 6 Jul 1898 in Minnesota; died on 27 Aug 1973 in Clay County, Minnesota; was buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Fergus Falls, Otter Tail County, Minnesota. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Confirmation: Zion Lutheran Church, Fergus Falls, Otter Tail County, Minnesota
• Minnesota Birth Certificate: 1911-18997
• Minnesota Death Certificate: 2006-MN-028923

Notes:

Not listed in the SSDI.

From her obit:

All through her life Margaret loved music. She was a member of the Singing Legionettes, the Federated Church Choir and the Senior Citizens Kitchen Band where she played the washboard. She enjoyed singing and accompanying herself on the autoharp. Her songs brought joy to all who knew her, and she always encouraged her family to find pleasure in music. She was a homemaker and found pleasure in knitting, crocheting, cooking and nurturing her family. She was known to her grandchildren as "Fluffy." She wore her Norwegian heritage with pride as a member of the Otter Tail County Historical Society, Senior Citizens, Antiquarians and Sons of Norway. She is survived by her daughters: Rebecca (Reno) Kuehnel of Wausaukee, Wis., Doris (Jerry) Enderson of Fergus Falls, and Kathryn Knutson of Wadena; sons, Richard (Mary Ann) Pederson of Kettering, Ohio, and Charles (Vicki) Pederson of Rolla, Mo.; son-in-law, Norman Toso of Janesville, Wis.; 32 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; and her brother, Conrad LeRoy (Delores) Johnson of Barnesville. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Phyllis Marlene Toso; her husband, Reuben P. Pederson; and a sister, Thora Adeline Bergeson. Visitation: Friday from 5 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home and one hour prior to the service at the church Service: 11 a.m. Saturday at Federated Church, Fergus Falls Clergy: Revs. Harry Olson and John Lindholm Burial: Knollwood Memorial Gardens Funeral Home: Glende-Nilson Funeral Home of Fergus Falls.

Confirmation:
be her eventual father-in-law, Elias Pederson

Died:
at Pioneer Retirement Community

Signe married Reuben Philip PEDERSON on 16 Jun 1929 in Otter Tail County, Minnesota. Reuben (son of Elias PEDERSON and Hannah Marie KITTELSON) was born on 15 Aug 1905 in Chippewa County, Wisconsin; died on 11 Apr 1985 in Otter Tail County, Minnesota; was buried in Knollwood Memorial Gardens, Fergus Falls, Otter Tail County, Minnesota. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Minnesota Birth Certificate: 1918-23796
• Minnesota Death Certificate: 2008-MN-008503

Notes:

An “Army pilot” in South America at the time of his father’s death. Of Barnsville at the time of his mother’s death, for whom he was the informant for the death certificate.

His obit in The Forum:

Conrad L. "Lee" Johnson

Conrad L. “Lee” Johnson, 89, of Barnesville, Minnesota died Sunday, March 16, 2008, in the Good Samaritan Society - Barnesville.

Lee was born July 20, 1918, in Fergus Falls, Minnesota. He graduated from Fergus Falls High School in 1936. He entered the U.S. Army in 1941. He received his wings and his commission in the Army Air Corps in 1942. Lee retired a Lt. Colonel from the Air Force in 1967. He then moved to Barnesville.

Lee married DeLoris “Dee” Barth on February 21, 1970. They made their home in Barnesville where they raised their family.

Lee is survived by his wife, Dee of Barnesville; two sons and two daughters, Tom (Linda) Barth of Moorhead, Linda (Jeff) Uhl of St. Cloud, Conrad (Tammy) Johnson of Fargo and Lisa (Arlyn) Scherbenske of Steele, North Dakota; 12 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Died:
Good Samaritan Nursing Home

Family/Spouse: Unknown. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Conrad married Deloris Laverne ANDERSON on 21 Feb 1970 in Clay County, Minnesota. Deloris was born on 11 May 1925; died on 30 Jun 2008 in Barnesville, Clay County, Minnesota; was buried in Barnesville City Cemetery, Barnesville, Clay County, Minnesota. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Norris married Darleen Joan LUNDER on 14 Feb 1947 in Clay County, Minnesota. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

SS# issued in Minnesota in 1951-1952.

Toso, Phyllis Marlene ?STOUGHTON - Phyllis Marlene Toso, age 72, passed away on Monday, April 26, 2004, at the Nazareth House, Stoughton. She was born on Aug. 18, 1931, in Fergus Falls, Minn., the daughter of Reuben and Margaret (Johnson) Pederson. She was a beloved wife, mother, artist, scholar and Christian disciple, and raised six children, at times single-handedly, while her husband, Norm, served in Korea for two years and Vietnam for two years. Marlene earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin in social work, volunteered extensively for the church and served her community. She impressed all who knew her strength, ingenuity, resourcefulness and good nature. She combined strength of character with sensitivity and greatly appreciated the arts, literature and fine antique furniture. Her home was an expression of her love for her family, for beauty and ideas. Those who were touched by her insights, her spiritual wisdom and expression of the finer parts of human nature will miss her greatly. She is survived by her husband, Norman Toso of Madison; six children, Lisa (Flynt) Moreland of Dallas, Texas, Maggie (Tom) Leake of Long Beach, Calif., Norman Erec (Megan) Toso of Tuscon, Ariz., Sarah (Allen) Geuder of Albuquerque, N.M., K.C. (Debra) Toso of Portage, and Andrew (Tammy) Toso of Stoughton; her mother, Margaret Pederson of Fergus Falls, Minn.; seven grandchildren, John, Kara, Andrew, Kyle, Sean, Kelsey and Karley; a great-grandson, Andrew William Toso; three sisters, Rebecca (Reno) Keuhnel of Wausaukee, Doris (Jerry) Enderson of Fergus Falls, Minn., and Kathy Pederson of Wadena, Minn.; two brothers, Richard (Micky) Pederson of Dayton, Ohio, and Charles (Nicki) Pederson of Rolla, Mo.; and is further survived by many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her father, Reuben. Memorial services will be held on Friday, April 30, 2004, at 11 a.m. at COVENANT LUTHERAN CHURCH, 1525 N. Van Buren Street, Stoughton. The Rev. Rebecca Ninke will officiate. The family will greet friends on Thursday, April 29, 2004, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the church, and from 10 a.m. until the time of the services at the church on Friday. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association of South Central, Wisconsin, 517 N. Segoe Road, Madison, WI 53705. The family would like to thank the staff and sisters of Nazareth House for all of their loving care for the past eight years.

Died:
Died at the Nazareth House, Stoughton

Phyllis married Norman Calvin TOSO on 7 Apr 1951 in Otter Tail County, Minnesota. Norman (son of Conrad Christianson TOSO and Elizabeth Marie Augusta MUCHOW) was born on 11 Jan 1929 in Otter Tail County, Minnesota; died on 5 Dec 2016 in Wisconsin. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Reno and Rebecca and family lived in Hales Corners at the time that they adopted Thomas Lee.

They lived in Arnold, Maryland, in April of 1956.

She and Reno lived in Wausaukee after they got out of farming.

In the fall of 1953, she was already married to Reno. At that time, she was a member of the Fargo-Moorhead Symphony, playing the cello.

She graduated from Fergus Falls High School in 1951 (she was class president), Cottey College (Missouri) in 1953, and North Dakota Agricultural College (now NDSU) in 1955 where her degree was in speech correction.

According to a brief article in the November 18, 1966, edition of the FFDJ, the Kuehnels had adopted “four minority-race children to add to their family of three children.”

From the Manitowoc Herald-Times, April 21, 1973, issue:

Love is Multicolored Mother Tells Church Group

Becky Kuehnel was guest speaker at the fifth annual Lenten breakfast Tuesday morning at Grace Congregational United Church of Christ, Two Rivers. Mrs. Kuehnel said she believes every child, of whatever nation or race, has the right to grow up with parents. She and her husband Reno Kuehnel, have nine children, three sons of their own, five legally adopted interracial children and another child's adoption is pending. They reside on an 80 acre farm near the Village of Osman. Kuehnel is an electrical engineer at Hamilton Manufacturing Co., Two Rivers.

Her obit in the FFDJ:

Rebecca (Becky) Marie Kuehnel was born Sunday, Feb. 6, 1933, at home, with a blizzard on the way, in Fergus Falls to Signe Margaret (Johnson) and Reuben Philip Pederson. She was preceded in death by an older sister, Marlene Toso, and is survived by younger sisters Doris Enderson and Kathryn Knudsen, and brothers Richard (Dickie) and Charles (Chuckie) Pederson.

Becky met Reno (Skip) Walter Kuehnel Jr. during Christmas break of her second year at Cottey College. They married secretly the following spring, on April 4, 1953. It wasn’t until that fall that the newlyweds were able to begin living together, and then never parted until Skip passed away Dec. 20, 2012, just shy of their 60th anniversary.

After the birth of their third son, Reno and Rebecca began adopting. Thirteen more uchildren would be welcomed into the family, raised with their parents’ love of learning and arts, their awareness of the needs of others, and a sense of duty to a human family that crosses racial, religious and ethnic divides.

Any who met Becky can agree on this point, she was a warrior for her beliefs and a champion for her friends. Early on, she was voted class president, both in high school and at Cottey College, and her drive to help others led her to work with the Laubach Literacy program (“Each One Teach One”), become a charter member of MCEO, a civil rights organization in Milwaukee, a leader in the Migrant Ministry program for southeastern Wisconsin, in addition to hosting international students. On the farm, she cared for thousands of calves, and kept a 5-acre vegetable garden.

Even in “retirement” she remained active, as a First Responder, a rest home Activities Aide, a volunteer with Habitat for Humanity and an active participant in a variety of Church Councils and community organizations. But, perhaps the best thing that can be said about her is that she never met a stranger, and so many, even after only a single conversation, became her lifelong friend.

Strong faith, boundless optimism, unwavering courage, generous spirit, and through it all, music – original songs, hymns, the chorus from a musical, lullabies — whatever the occasion, whatever the weight of the day, Becky always had a song flowing through it. For those of us who hear her voice, she will never be truly gone.

Friends and family will gather for a celebration of her life at a service to be held April 1 at First Congregational Church, 310 Bluff Ave., Sheboygan, Wisconsin.

The gathering will start at 2:30 p.m. to share stories and memories, with the service starting at 3 p.m., and all are welcome to stay for a meal to follow in the church hall. The family has honored Becky’s request for her body to be donated to the Medical College of Wisconsin for medical research. Memorials will be directed to organizations Becky requested on her behalf.

On behalf of her children — Chris, Peter, David, Tom, John, Maria, Sam, Tory, Jean, Maurice, Fernando, Tyrone, Ho Chang, Adriano, Roberto, Caleb — grandchildren and great-grandchildren, we would also like to give a special thanks to all the people who stepped up to care for Becky with dignity and compassion: the staff at the Odd Fellow Home in Green Bay, Dr. Luke Warpinski, caregivers Tory Haney, Pam Mraz (Sheffer) and Shelly Stockwell.

Rebecca married Reno Walter KUEHNEL, Jr on 4 Apr 1953. Reno was born on 17 Jun 1926 in Wisconsin; died on 20 Dec 2012 in Wausaukee, Marinette County, Wisconsin. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]