Irene Johnson

Irene (Lorentz) Johnson, 91, passed away Friday, February 12, 2016 at CentraCare Health - Nursing Home in Sauk Centre. Irene was born to Joseph and Ann (Hopp) Lorentz on the family farm December 9, 1924, the sixth of fourteen children. She graduated from Wadena Senior High School in 1942. On February 8, 1943, Irene was united in marriage to Gordon Stanley Johnson at St. Ann's Catholic Church in Wadena. Irene was a homemaker and raised nine children while also working at Homecrest in Wadena, Ringer Manufacturer in Staples and Humphrey Manor in Wadena. Irene was a devout member of the Catholic Faith and active in Christian Mothers. She enjoyed cooking, entertaining, poem writing, reading, playing cards, playing scrabble, and going dancing. During retirement, she spent many winters enjoying the warmth and sunshine of Arizona, where she swam daily and played a lot of cards. Her family was her greatest joy and she cherished her time with them.

She will be missed and is survived by her children, Diane Cumbie, of Albany, Dennis Johnson, of Laporte, CO, David (Shaba) Johnson, of Eagan, Duane (Carol) Johnson, of Verndale, Darlene (Dave) Mareck, of Sauk Centre, Dean (Shelly) Johnson, of Verndale, Dick (Karen) Johnson, of Zimmerman, Dale (Sue) Johnson, of Bertha, and Donna (Mark) Smith, of Mora; 25 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; sisters, Janet (Ron) Wright, of Bluffton and Ruthann Therault, of Texas; and brothers, Frank (Leona), of Bluffton and Nibs, of Wadena. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Gordon; sisters, Leona, Phyllis, Isabelle, and Joanne; brothers, Mike, Benny, Ralph, Jerome, and Mark; and her grandson, Shane.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, February 20, 2016 at St. Ann's Catholic Church in Wadena. Family and friends are welcome to gather Friday evening from 4-7 PM at St. Ann's Catholic Church in Wadena and one hour prior to Mass on Saturday. Interment will take place at St. Frederick's Catholic Cemetery in Verndale.