Eleanor Maxine Johnson , 83, Minot and formerly of Ray ND and Duluth MN died on Wednesday March 14, 2007 in a Minot hospital after a brief illness.

Eleanor was born on March 21, 1923 on the family farm in Dublin Township of Williams County near Ray, North Dakota to George and Thea (Thompson) Johnson. At a young age she moved with her family to a farm north of Ray, ND. She attended grades one through eight in a rural school near Ray and graduated from Ray High School in 1941. She attended Minot State Teachers College and received both her rural and standard teaching certificates. Eleanor taught at country schools in the Ray area. In addition, she taught at Grenora, Stanley, and Arnegard. She continued her education receiving her Bachelor's Degree from Iowa State University in 1952 and Master's Degree equivalent from several colleges. She taught at elementary schools in Duluth MN from 1953 until 1982. During her teaching career she was very involved in the "Follow Through Program" which was a continuation of the Head Start program.

After her retirement, she returned to Ray to assist in her mother's care. Later, she moved to Minot where she has since resided.

Eleanor was a member of First Lutheran Church - Minot where she was active in a women's circle, FLCW, quilting, World Relief, and the receptions committee. She was a member of the Minnesota Education Association and the Sons of Norway and Women's Club both Minot and was a volunteer for Norsk Hostfest.

She is survived by a sister Adelaide Johnson of Minot; a cousin who was raised as a sister Jeanne Wolla (Konley) of Minot; and a sister-in-law: Betty Johnson of Ray, ND and Scottsdale, AZ. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews including Paul Johnson (Teresa Monicken) of Bismarck, Steven Johnson (Angela) of Ray, ND, Gail Johnson Gonzalez of Chino, CA, Karen Johnson Fantauzza of Minneapolis, MN, Kirsten Johnson Bratvold (Jerry) of Ray, Eric Johnson (Jill Fedje) of Minneapolis, Jerol Johnson (Caroline) of Minneapolis, Kristopher Wolla (Sherry) of Minot, Anne Nordgaard (Mark) of Bismarck and Christine Wolla of Minot. Eleanor is also survived by numerous cousins, great and great great nieces and nephews.

Eleanor was preceded in death by her parents and brothers Julian Johnson and Arthur Johnson and his wife Annabel.

Funeral Service: Saturday March 17, 2007 at 1:00 p.m. in First Lutheran Church - Minot.
Interment will be in the Spring at the Rainbow Valley Cemetery - rural Ray.
Memorials are preferred to the First Lutheran Church Foundation or the church Parish Center elevator fund or kitchen updating fund.