Ginger Johnson Papers

"Ginger Anne (Ihnken) Johnson, 84, passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 21, 2021. Ginger was born July 21, 1937, in Hunter, ND, daughter of Harry and Delena (Hensted) Ihnken. She was the oldest of their three daughters. After moving 17 times in her childhood to cities such as Larimore, ND, Rapid City SD and Portland ND, she graduated from Portland High School in 1955. She attended the University of North Dakota and graduated with a degree in English Secondary Education. While at UND, she met Ulric Johnson and married him in 1957. Ulric and Ginger raised three children, Brent, Valerie and Wendy, and enjoyed their three grandchildren, Jonathan, Allison and Treyce. Ginger worked for the Grand Forks Public Schools system for many years. She started as a Home/Hospital Tutor working with students who could not attend class in person. She loved reviewing all of the subjects and felt she got as much out of it as her students. She finished her career being an Education Monitor for children that were being home-schooled, ensuring they got the education they were entitled to and were keeping up with state standards. The children she monitored often became additional grandchildren with her baking cookies with them with her visit right before the Christmas break. Ginger was an avid seamstress, often making matching holiday outfits for her children. She became a beautiful quilter and enjoyed quilting with the quilting group at church and also at home. She also enjoyed reading, mysteries in particular. She passed her love of reading on to her children. Ginger was a strong woman of faith. She was very active at Sharon Lutheran, often holding leadership positions and enjoyed participating in the Circle bible studies, prayer chain and book club. She was Sunday school teacher, confirmation guide and even a Den Mother with the Cub Scout troop. Ginger is survived by her children, Brent Johnson of Mesa AZ, Valerie (Steve) Abrams of Rockford IA, and Wendy Jo (John) Williams of Corcoran, MN; grandchildren Jonathan (Constance) Abrams, Longmont, CO, Allison (Steve) Diaz (Tolleson, AZ), and Treyce Williams, Corcoran, MN; siblings, Judy (Roger) Smith, Cookie (Ron) Moen; sister-in-law, Mary Ann Johnson and many nieces and nephews. Ginger was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Ulric Johnson and parents, Harry and Delena Ihnken, nephews Randy Smith, Harry Smith, Everett Johnson, Robin Johnson, niece, Ila Mae Erickson and several brothers and sister-in-laws." Source: Amundson Funeral and Cremation Service

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