Frances Irene Johnson, 80, Sawyer, died Saturday, December 10, 2016 in a Velva Nursing Care Center.

Frances was born February 24, 1936 at Minot, North Dakota the daughter of Richard and Evelyn (Francis) Abrahamson. She was raised and educated at Sawyer and graduated from Sawyer High School in 1953.

Frances was united in marriage to Elnie "Shag" Johnson on June 14, 1953 in Minot. They made their home on a farm north of Sawyer, where they raised small grains and cattle throughout the years. In addition to raising their three children, Frances also drove school bus for the Sawyer School district for 15 years.

Elnie died on October 28, 1995. Frances continued to live on the farm until 2009, when she moved to Somerset Court in Minot, where she lived for several years, before moving into Edgewood Vista and most recently to the Souris Valley Care Center in Velva.

Frances was a longtime member of Augustana Lutheran Church, Minot, the Sawyer Community Club and served on the Sawyer Cemetery Committee. She was a former member of the Mt. Olivet Lutheran Church in Minot, where she served as the organist. She was a member of the Sawyer PTA, Music Mothers and was a Girl Scout Leader, served as longtime treasurer for the New Prairie Township and did 4-H registration and records in the horse barn at the ND State Fair for a number of years. She enjoyed playing the piano, baking goodies and cooking for friends and family.

Frances loving family includes her children, Michael (Penny) Johnson, St Charles, Illinois, Craig Johnson, Minot, Judi (Josh) Weiss, Park Rapids, MN; 9 grandchildren to include: Matthew (Brenda) Johnson, Amber Johnson, Justin (Elizabeth) Frye, Danielle (Andrew Bloedorn) Frye, Benjamin (Anna) Johnson, Ashlee (Glen) Schneider, Laura (Matthew) Cox, Ross (Lauren Rasmussen) Johnson & Madeline (Ryan) Zigray; 12 great grandchildren; several nieces, nephews and cousins and a dear friend, Andrew Eshenko.

Frances was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Elnie; a great grandchild; brothers, Richard Abrahamson Jr., Gerald Abrahamson; sister, Donna King and an infant brother.

Funeral service: Thursday, December 15, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. in Christ Lutheran Church, Minot.

Interment: Sawyer Community Cemetery later in the Spring of 2017.

Visitation: Wednesday from 3:00-6:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.

Memorials are preferred to the Sawyer Cemetery Club.