Emma Johnson, 86, 546 28th Ave. S.W., Minot, and formerly of the Carpio area, died Tuesday, August 29, 2006, in a Minot Hospital.

Emma was born December 25, 1919, at Hartland, North Dakota, the daughter of Matt and Emma (Foss) Lee. She was raised and educated at Hartland and received her standard teaching degree at Minot State Normal School. She taught at a country school near Rugby for a year and was united in marriage to Kenneth O. Johnson on October 5, 1940, at Minot. They made their home on a farm in Carpio Township of Ward County, where they lived and farmed throughout the years. They moved to Minot in 1995. Ken died August 8, 1999.

Emma was a member of Carpio Lutheran Church until moving to Minot and became a member at Bread of Life Lutheran Church, Minot.

Emma's children and grandchildren were very special to her. She loved watching the great-grandchildren grow. She was active in Ladies Aid and helped with her children's school activities and 4-H. She enjoyed playing bridge and scrabble with her many friends. She enjoyed tying quilts and has made quilts and afghans for all her grandchildren. She enjoyed her neighbors and her friends. Emma was an avid reader.

Her loving family includes: Daughters: Sharon (Darryl) Strube, Minot; Janice (Ronald) Thue, Williston; Joyce (Gerald) Hansen, Alexandria, MN; Susan (Dwight) Burkhart, Holdingford, MN; Sons: Rodger (Janelle) Johnson, Lincoln, NE, and William (Darlene) Johnson, Minot; Grandchildren: Kent (Sherry) Yancey, Karin (Bill) Haas, Julie (Brian) Kirchhoff, Sheri Johnson, Ryan (Jill) Johnson, Rachel Thue, Sarah (Karl) Carlson, Chanda (Richard) Larson, Chara (Bryan) Anderson, Carrie (Tim) Urness, Sharlo (Nate) Meyer, Jolene (Josh) Hovde, Angela (Ryan) Hughes, Kyle Johnson, Charissa Johnson, Jerrel Burkhart; Step-Grandchildren: Laurie Kluge, Ernest Strube, Natalie (Tim) Beiswenger; Great-Grandchildren: Nate Yancey; Tanner and Cole Kirchhoff, Ryley and Madeline Johnson; Andrew, Maren, and Anika Carlson; Emma and Adyn Larson; Elise, Hallee, Otto, and Owen Anderson; Kaylee and Maxton Myer; and Kaidra, Cohen, and Rylan Hovde;
Step-Great-Grandchildren: Carson Jenson; Megan, Hannah, and Sarah Strube; Zane and Sawyer Kluge; and Luke, Drew and Jaxon Beiswenger; Brothers: Oliver (Francis) Lee, Norman (Gladys) Lee.

Emma was preceded in death by her parents, husband, son Jerrel, sisters Ruth Rasper and Gladys Wilson, and brother John.

Funeral service will be Friday, September 1, 2006, at 10:30 a.m. at Bread of Life Lutheran Church, Minot.
Interment: Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot
Visitation: Thursday from Noon to 4:00 p.m. in the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot and from 5:30-7:30 p.m. in Bread of Life Lutheran Church, Minot.
Memorials are preferred to the Arthritis Foundation, American Heart Association, American Diabetes Association or organization of the donor's choice.