Verna Emelia Johnston, 102, of Northfield, MN, passed away Monday, October 31, 2016, in Northfield. Verna was born on January 23, 1914, the oldest of three girls, in Waseca County outside New Richland, MN, to William Ira Heckes and Matilda Demmer Heckes.
Growing up, she attended one-room schoolhouses in the area around New Richland. She graduated from high school at age 16 and two years later after completing normal school training for her teaching credentials, she started her own teaching career in country schools in the New Richland area and in Otisco, MN. She loved school and in her later years liked to share her memories of that time!
On June 15, 1938, Verna was married to Hugh C. Johnston at Sacred Heart Church in Waseca, MN. Verna and Hugh lived in southern MN during the early years of their marriage, in Stockton, Springfield and Waseca. They also spent a year in Menominee WI. In 1947 they moved to Denton, Texas, where they lived until 1953. When Hugh was offered a job at Malt-O-Meal, they settled in Northfield with their family of five. After Hugh retired they moved to Faribault, MN, to be closer to their daughter, Jeanette. Verna moved back to Northfield in 1984.
Verna devoted her life to caring for her husband and children. She spent endless hours advocating for the mentally handicapped, working through local and state organizations as active member, officer and board member. During the years of child-rearing and homemaking, she was actively involved in different groups at St. Dominic’s Church and school. She enjoyed gardening, knitting, crocheting, reading, playing cards and doing jigsaw puzzles. From an early age, Verna loved to dance!
Verna will be greatly missed by her son: John (Sally) of Brazil, Indiana; her three daughters: Susan (Gerald) Odette of Northfield, MN, Mary Garlie of Park Rapids, MN, and JoAnn (Charlie) LaSart of Crosby, MN; her nine grandchildren: Lori Odette, Kris (Todd) Hayes, Paul (Amy)Odette, Sarah (Adrian) Jones, Stephen (Jen) Garlie, Brian (Tera) Garlie, Jessie (Marcus Williams) Kneeland, David (Chelsea) Kneeland, Erica Johnston; her twenty-one great-grandchildren: Emily, Rachel and Anna Hanson; Andy (Jaimi) and Ryan Prussner; Dustin, Lindsey and Kyle Hayes; Alexandra, Billy and Jacob Odette; Jack Kenney and Ben and Kate Garlie; Zachary and Samuel Garlie and Mercedes and Ethan Forseman, Audrey and Sydney Williams, Virginia Kneeland and Berkley Bush; and three great-great-grandchildren: Jaxson, Jon and Allie Prussner. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Hugh; daughter, Jeanette; great-granddaughters, Stephanie Odette and Megan Hayes; sisters, Helen Nixon and Blanche Tews.
Mass of Christian burial be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, November 10, 2016, at the Church of St. Dominic in Northfield. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery, Waseca. Pallbearers will be Brian Garlie, Stephen Garlie, Billy Harguth, Todd Hayes, David Kneeland and Paul Odette. Visitation will be 4-6 p.m. Wednesday, November 9, 2016, at the Benson & Langehough Funeral Home. Visitation will continue at the church on Thursday one hour prior to the service.
Memorials are preferred to the Northfield Senior Center, St. Dominic School in Northfield, or a charity of your choice.
Arrangements are with the Benson & Langehough Funeral Home.
www.northfieldfuneral.com