Service Information
Avis J. Johnson, age 87, of Buffalo Lake, Minnesota, passed away on Sunday, August 29, 2021, at Buffalo Lake Healthcare Center.
Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, September 11, 2021, at 11:00 A.M. at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hector with interment in the Hector City Cemetery.
Gathering of Family and Friends will be held one hour prior to the service at First Evangelical Lutheran Church.
Obituary
Avis JoAnn Johnson was born on January 9, 1934, in Kanawha, Iowa. She was the daughter of Albert and Mabel (McGrath) Larson. Avis was baptized at her grandparents' farm home in March of 1934 in New Richland, Minnesota. She was later confirmed in 1944 at the Methodist Episcopal Church in Kanawha, Iowa, by the Rev. Moore. Avis attended school in Kanawha, Iowa, and graduated as the Valedictorian with the Kanawha High School class of 1951. She continued her education at the Hamilton Business School in Mason City, Iowa, and obtained her two-year degree from St. Cloud State University in 1988.
On September 5, 1953, Avis was united in marriage to her high school sweetheart, Arland Johnson. Avis and Arland chose to be married in her grandmother's hometown of New Richland, Minnesota at the First Congregational Church because Avis’ grandmother was unable to travel. This marriage was blessed with four children, Kim, Kae, Kirk, and Kwen. They first made their home in Forest City, Iowa, where Avis worked in the bank. After four years, they returned to Kanawha, and they were active in farming. In 1962, they purchased a farm in Brookfield Township, Renville County, Minnesota, and the family moved to the farm. In 1965, they purchased their home in Hector. In 2000, they built their new home in Hector.
Avis began her work career in Minnesota with the Minnesota Central Telephone Company in the accounting department. When the company was sold, she worked at the bank in Hector for a year before gaining employment in the accounting department at Communications Systems Inc. In the early 1980s, while still working in the accounting department, Avis became the Administrative Assistant to the Company President / CEO and Director of Shareholder Relations until she retired in May of 1999. Avis also founded and managed the family cable TV business Project Services, Inc.
Avis was a member of First Lutheran Church in Hector; she served as the financial secretary and also taught Sunday school. Avis and Arland enjoyed the time they spent traveling. They did a great deal of camping around the United States, spending time in Florida, Texas, Arizona, California, and Niagara Falls. They spent ten winters in Arizona. The highlight of Avis’ life was the trip to Norway, where she was able to visit the farm where her grandfather once lived. Avis was the driving force for family get-togethers, celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays. She was instrumental in guiding her children and grandchildren in their musical endeavors. Avis was present at all the grandchildren’s music events and was the receipt of recordings and programs of the events she was not able to attend.
Avis passed away on Sunday, August 29, 2021, at Buffalo Lake Healthcare Center, at the age of 87 years.
Blessed be her memory.
Avis is survived by her:
Children, Kim Johnson of Olivia, MN,
Kae Pumarlo and her husband, Kevin, of Shakopee, MN,
Kirk Johnson and his wife, Barbara of Maple Grove, MN,
Kwen Johnson and his wife, Pamela, of Shakopee, MN;
Grandchildren, Ryan Johnson, Nathan Johnson, Emily Johnson, Erik Johnson;
Sister-in-law, Janice Johnson of Kanawha, IA;
nephews, nieces, cousins, other relatives, and friends.
Avis was preceded in death by her Parents, Albert and Mabel Larson; Husband, Arland Johnson.
Darlene Johnson says
My sympathy to all of Avis’ family. I had known Avis for so many years; first as members together at First Lutheran Church, and then with working with her. Praying for God’s peace to you.
Darlene Johnson
Doreen (Hanson) Bostwick says
I have very special memories of Avis (and Arland too!). During my Sr. High School year I lived with this wonderful family. Avis was always bright and cheery.
She loved her family and was always on a “mission” to keep her family safe and healthy and I always remember her setting out vitamins for everyone every day! This was so ingrained in me that I laid out vitamins for my kids every day and even though they are grown and gone now, my husband gets to be the recipient of vitamins. I tell him, “If you have a problem with this, talk to Avis!”
I was blessed to be able to stop at the Buffalo Lake nursing home a couple of times when I was in town to visit to visit with her! She spoke so fondly of her family, and especially her grandchildren!
Loved Avis and will always be grateful for the unknown influence she had in my life!
Doreen
Diane Drager says
Avis and Arland were such a special couple. I enjoyed the years I spent helping them with their daily lives and visiting over many cups of tea and coffee. She had a quick wit, and I can still hear her laugh and see her smile. I will miss our visits (even though she usually had a “job” for me to do when I stopped to see her).?
Gail & Ed Wenner says
We were saddened to hear of Avis’ passing and extend our sincere condolences everyone in the Johnson family. I worked with Avis at Communications Systems, Inc. and later North American Cable Systems off and on and in various positions for many years. She was a capable and fair supervisor and a pleasure to work with. May God bless her memory and comfort her family and her many friends
Gail and Ed Wenner
Ron Anderson says
As a resident and elected official of Milan, MN, I benefited greatly from the great cable service provided by the Johnson’s. The Johnson’s not only provided superb cable service but also became part of Milan’s social fabric; they attended and participated in Milan’s civic events and celebrations. Avis and her family were/are FINE/GOOD people; I feel blessed to have known her/them.