Elaine Johnson was born on September 30, 1935, in Madelia, Minnesota to Oscar and Thea Helling Lilleodden. She grew up in Hanska, MN and graduated from Hanska High School in 1953. She then attended New Ulm Nursing School at Union Hospital. Following graduation Elaine remained at Union Hospital in New Ulm until 1958. On March 1, 1958, she and John Johnson were married at Lake Hanska Lutheran Church in rural Hanska. Following their marriage, they made their home and farmed near Currie, MN. Elaine worked at the Tracy Hospital for over 30 years. John passed away on June 13, 2018. Elaine remained on the farm until 2023 when she moved to Lindenwood Assisted Living in Slayton, MN. In September 2025 she moved to Good Samaritan Society-Westbrook. She passed away there on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, at the age of 90. She was a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Dovray, MN where she was active with the quilting group, and WELCA. Elaine also volunteered with the bloodmobile and taking blood pressure in Currie and Dovray. She was a member of the Dovray American Legion Auxiliary and active with the Lunch Buddy’s program at MCC. Elaine enjoyed spending time with her family, being on the farm, gardening, yardwork, quilting, cross stitching and cleaning.
Survivors include her five children and their spouses, Natalie and Terry Schmidt of Slayton, MN, Thomas Johnson of Eden Prairie, MN, Barbara and Dave Kiesow of Woodbury, MN, Eric and Linda Johnson of Lake Elmo, MN, and Ann and Richard Ott of Elk River, MN, 10 grandchildren, 13 greatgrandchildren, one great-great grandson, three siblings, Leanore Johnsen, of Crookston, MN, Roger and Karin Lilleodden of St. Paul, MN, James and Bonnie Lilleodden of Hanska, MN, three sisters-in-law, La-Donna Lilleodden of New Ulm, MN, Sandra Grams of Storden, MN, and SueEllen Johnson of Westbrook, MN, one brotherin- law, Craig and Bernice Johnson of Savage, MN. She is preceded in death by her husband, John, grandson, Sammy Eric Annerl, parents, infant twin siblings, Ann and Mae Lilleodden, twin, siblings, Jane and Joan Lilleodden, and brother, Harvey Lilleodden.
Funeral services were at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Dovray, MN on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. with Rev. Stephanie Swanson officiating with special music by Lynn Swanson and Mark Johnson. The pallbearers were her grandchildren, Cassidy Paulzine, TJ Schmidt, Brittany Schneider, Nick Kiesow, Taylor Kiesow, Carly Anderson, Jack Johnson, Jake Johson, Alex Ott, and Lauren Ott. Interment was at Our Saviors Lutheran Cemetery in Dovray, MN.
Visitation was on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, at the Totzke Funeral Home in Slayton from 4-6 p.m. and one hour prior to the services at the church on Wednesday. To send condolences visit totzkefuneralhome. com
