Carol Sylvia Johnson, 92, of Grantsburg, passed away peacefully and surrounded by family Aug. 18, 2023, at Burnett Medical Center’s Continuing Care Center.
She was born Dec. 27, 1930, at the Frederic Hospital, to David and Emily (Nelson) Thor as the youngest of seven children. Growing up in the Grettum area, she loved helping and playing with her siblings on the family farm.
Carol attended the Grettum School for her primary school. At Grantsburg High School she met her beloved husband, Merlin Johnson, when they were crowned homecoming king and queen in 1944. Carol graduated from GHS in 1948 and from the Minnesota School of Business in 1949. She returned to Grantsburg and worked in the office at Northwestern Wisconsin Electric Company for the next 13 years.
Carol and Merlin were married in 1957 and together raised two children, Allan and Janet. Carol was devoted to her family and home. She went “down home” to the farm every day to help her extended family with cooking, cleaning, farm chores, gardening and yardwork.
Carol’s life reflected her strong faith. She was baptized and confirmed and was a lifelong member of Bethany Lutheran Church in Branstad. She served the Lord as Sunday school teacher, choir member, Christian Women's Club member, quilter and assistant in other tasks as needed at Bethany and in the Grantsburg community. She firmly believed that “God will take care of you.”
Carol loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren unconditionally and made sure each of them knew how special and loved they were. Memories of their many visits include pancakes around the breakfast table, special decorations, picnics, rice pudding, beet pickles, cranberries, cookies and bars, beautiful tables, Christmas songs and lots of smiles. Grandma's legacy of loving and giving lives on through her family.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband of 63 years, Merlin; siblings, Ethel (Roland) Olson, Mabel Thor, Lester Thor, Lloyd (Hazel) Thor, Mildred (Morris) Lindgren and Alyce (Meaddy) Smestad.
She is survived by children, Allan (Rhonda) Johnson and Janet (Charles) Dotzler; five grandchildren, Paul (Andrea) Johnson, Eric (Lydia) Johnson, Heather (Donovan) Sullivan, Steven (Megan) Dotzler and Sarah Dotzler; and six great-grandchildren, Claire Johnson, Theodore Sullivan, Edith Sullivan, Merlin Dotzler, Nora Johnson and Mattias Johnson.
Funeral arrangements are pending and will be announced at a later date. Interment will be at the Riverside Cemetery in Grantsburg.
Arrangements were entrusted to Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home, Grantsburg. Online condolences can be made at swedberg-taylor.com.
