Rita Claire Johnson

Rita Claire Johnson, 88, of Larimore, ND passed away on December 7th at Valley Senior Living in Grand Forks, ND. Rita was born on November 8, 1937 in Grand Forks, ND to Alda (Sander) & Theodore Lerud. She grew up and attended school in Grand Forks, graduating from Central High School in 1955. After high school, she attended Aakers Business School in Grand Forks and began working as a bank teller at 1st National Bank.

Rita met the love of her life, Arnold Johnson, and they were united in marriage on September 6, 1959 at United Lutheran Church in Grand Forks, ND.

During their 66 years together, Rita worked as a bank teller at their first home in Iowa. In 1963, they moved to Bloomington, MN where they adopted 2 children; son, Devin and daughter, Jody, whom they loved and raised as their own. In 1974, they moved to Arnold’s family farm near Larimore, ND. After a number of years on the farm they moved into Larimore, where Rita worked at North Valley Drug and the Good Samaritan Center in the activities department. After retirement, Rita continued to volunteer her time bringing kindness & love to the residents at the Good Sam.

Her and Arnold were very active in their church & welcomed all in need into their home. She spent her remaining years traveling, enjoying her grandchildren & great-grandchildren, having coffee with the ladies, and indulging in her love of shopping.

Rita is survived by a son, Devin (Gail) Johnson of Hillsboro, ND; a daughter Jody (Randy) Wiegandt of Larimore, ND; 4 grandchildren: Tarryn (Eric) Omdahl of Warren, MN; Kayley (Adam) Thomas of Lecompte, LA; Jeremy (Kiana) Wiegandt of Emerado, ND; Amanda Scott of Fargo, ND; 6 great-grandchildren: Gage & Bryson Omdahl, Addy & Piper Thomas, and Kayson & Kohen Wiegandt; brother-in-law & sister-in-law Gordy (Carol) Johnson of Tyler, TX.

Rita was preceded in death by her husband, Arnold; parents, Alda & Theodore; and brother & sister-in-law Donald & Helen Lerud.

Funeral service: Friday, December 12 at 11:00am at Living Faith Free Lutheran Church in Larimore, with visitation 1 hour prior.

Burial: Bellevue Cemetery, Larimore, ND at a later date.

Memorials preferred to Living Faith Free Lutheran Church of Larimore, Larimore Good Samaritan, or Bellevue Cemetery of Larimore.