Melva Johnson

Funeral Service for Melva Jean Johnson, age 79, of Wheaton, Minnesota will be held Tuesday, March 18, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at the Ranney-Bainbridge Funeral Home in Wheaton, Minnesota with Celebrant Ellen Eastby. Organist will be Susan Groff with special music provided by John Anders. Honorary Pallbearers will be Melva's grandchildren. Visitation will be Monday evening from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Ranney-Bainbridge Funeral Home, and continue Tuesday morning from 10:00 a.m. until service time. Interment will be in Wildwood Cemetery, Wheaton. Melva Jean (Harling) Johnson, a longtime resident of Fergus Falls, MN died at her home in Wheaton, MN on March 13th 2014 surrounded by many of her loving family and ending her battle with cancer. Melva was born August 24, 1934, in Friend, NE to James and Bernice Harling. She grew up and graduated from high school in Dorchester, NE. She was married to William Moser and they had 5 children. Melva and her family moved to Minnesota where she met and married her soul mate Haldo Johnson in 1971. They had one son. After living for a few years in Wheaton, MN the family moved to Fergus Falls. Melva was an active member and volunteer in many organizations in Fergus Falls and Otter Tail County, including the Otter Tail County DFL, Center for the Arts, and the Unitarian Universalist Church of Underwood, MN. Melva was known to her family and friends as a woman with strong opinions and a deeply held value for helping others. She demonstrated this through her work with victims of domestic violence, reading for the blind, supporting recovery through AA, many 'letters to the editor,' and being a foster parent for 15 years to special needs children. Melva was a devout reader, lover of the arts, and had a passion for writing. She faithfully attended a local writer's group where she met other writers, honed her skills, mentored others and developed many friendships. She was published in local and regional publications and was especially honored by being published in the Talking Stick. Melva enjoyed writing and performing her original work at the Center for the Arts. Melva enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren and was always interested in hearing about their educational and career pursuits. Melva will be dearly missed by her children: Christeen (Eugene) Borsheim, Wheaton, MN; Carmen Moser, Fergus Falls, MN; Chere (Edward) Rikimoto, Wheaton, MN; Clay (Angela) Moser, Crosslake, MN; Candice (Anthony) Hasbargen, Wheaton, MN; John (Amora) Johnson, Portland, OR; 13 grandchildren ( and one on the way) and 11 great-grandchildren. Melva is survived by two brothers, Max Harling, Wilbur, NE; Gary (Gail) August, Gordon, NE; and one sister Carol (Edward) Zak, Seward, NE; many nieces and nephews. Preceding her in death was her husband Haldo, parents; her step-father Floyd August; brother, Noel Harling; and sister Virginia Inderlied.

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Visitation

Ranney-Bainbridge Funeral Home

• Monday, March 17, 2014
• 04:00 PM - 07:00 PM
• Email Details
• 106 North 10th Street
  Wheaton, MN 56296

Directions

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Funeral Service

Ranney-Bainbridge Funeral Home

• Tuesday, March 18, 2014
• 11:00 AM
• Email Details
• 106 North 10th Street
  Wheaton, MN 56296

Directions