Martha Johnson, 96, Stewartville

Published 9:55 am Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Martha Edith Clarine (Thrond) Johnson, age 96, of Stewartville, died Friday, Jan. 4, 2013, at the Stewartville Care Center.

Martha Johnson

Her funeral service will be at 1:30 p.m. Thursday at Silver Lake Lutheran Church in rural Northwood with the Rev. Randy Baldwin officiating.

Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday at Mittelstadt Funeral Home, 902 E. Main St., Lake Mills, and again one hour prior to the service at the church.

Burial will take place at the Silver Lake Cemetery in rural Northwood.

Martha Edith Clarine (Thrond) Johnson was born in Worth County, Iowa, on the family farm, July 11, 1916, to parents Clarence and Theolina (Flatekval) Thrond. She was baptized and confirmed at Silver Lake Lutheran Church, rural Northwood.

Martha married Kenneth Johnson on May 18, 1948, in Northwood.

The couple farmed in several different areas throughout the region. Martha had worked at the canning company in Lake Mills, at a care center in Albert Lea and retired from St. Marys Hospital in Rochester.

After retiring, Martha and Kenneth resided in Stewartville, where Martha eventually became a resident of the Stewartville Care Center where she passed away. Many people there will remember her for her never give up attitude and her smile.

Although Martha and Kenneth had no children of their own, they referred to the nieces and nephews and their families as their children and grandchildren. When possible, Martha and Kenneth attended all baptisms, confirmations and graduations until they were no longer physically able to do so. Even so, Martha was continually asking and wondering about the children, remembering them by name, up until the day she passed. Even though her hearing was failing, thanks to a headset from Hospice, Martha could wear it and talk with family who kept her up-to-date with happenings. This made Martha so very happy. Two days prior to her death, some of Martha’s family was able to be with her, sharing communion, and singing Christmas songs to her; it was so bittersweet as Martha’s face showed such emotion. The family is grateful to the Rev. Byron Meline and his wife, Lois, and the Rev. Emily Carson for everything they have done. Special thanks also to the staff and volunteers with Hospice for their visits and to the staff at the Stewartville Care Center who were all a part of Martha’s extended family.

Martha is survived by her nieces and nephews, Arnold Thrond, Truman (Barbara) Thrond, Margie (Max) Brones, Dale (Kathy) Thrond, Lois Throne (John) Duff, Richard (Karen) Throne, Marlene Throne (Robert) Sorenson, Audrey Throne, Whitney, Luvern (Sylvia) Thrond and Robert (Gail Newburg) Thrond; two sisters-in-law, Gladys Hanson and Alvira Kloster, both of Lake Mills; extended relatives in the Johnson and Sundsvold families; numerous great-nieces and nephews; many great-great-nieces and nephews; and great-great-great-nieces nephews.

Martha was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Kenneth Johnson; siblings, Anders (Emma) Thrond, C. Martin (Hazel) Throne, and Tonie (Elaine) Thrond; a nephew-in-law, James Whitney; grandnephew, Lynn Curtis Whitney; and two grandnieces, Connie Whitney and Leslie Thrond. She is also preceded in death by many extended relatives in the Johnson and Sundsvold families.