Darlene Johnson

Darlene Johnson, 91, of Brainerd, MN passed into the arms of Jesus on November 25, 2024, in Brainerd. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. 

Darlene was born to Clifford and Frances (Hagen) Gardner on September 19, 1933, in Pine River, MN. She graduated from Pine River High School. On June 6, 1953, she married Dwight Johnson. 

Darlene faithfully served alongside her husband of 18 years as missionaries at Grace Christian High School in Manila, Philippines, where they raised their three boys. Returning to Minnesota in 1976, she supported her husband as he pastored at South Long Lake Presbyterian Church. Later, they were members at Lakewood Evangelical Free Church in Baxter and Timberwood Church in Nisswa. Darlene also worked for 25 years at Jenny’s Hallmark at the Westgate Mall. 

She is greatly missed by her husband of 71 years, Dwight; her children; Steve (Janice) of Brainerd, Rick (Debbie) of Yorktown, VA, Curt of Charlotte, NC; siblings; LaVonne (John) Hurst and Bill (Phyllis) Gardner. 

Darlene is preceded in death by her mother and father, her sisters Ramona Hann, Charlotte Rollins, and Caroline Gardner, and brothers LeRoy Gardner, Keith Gardner, and Russell Gardner.

Arrangements are entrusted to Brenny Family Funeral Chapel, Baxter.