Alta’s Obituary On January 25, 2019, Alta Eudora (Torkelson) Johnson passed from this life to the next at the Tioga Nursing Home in Tioga, North Dakota. Alta was 99 years old, just a few months away from her 100th birthday. Alta will be deeply missed by her family and friends, but her family is rejoicing that she has gained her eternal home in heaven with Jesus.
Alta was born on December 5, 1919 in Kenmare, ND to Tilfred and Inga Torkelson. Alta was the 5th daughter out of 6 children. Alta graduated from Kenmare High School in 1937.
On June 27, 1948, she married Alfred Edwin Johnson at First Baptist Church in Kenmare. The couple settled in Kenmare where Alta lived all of her life. The couple was blessed with six children: Alfred Jr., who passed away shortly after his birth, Joette Ilene, Patti Marie, Virginia Ann, Melody Lane, and Roxanne Ruth.
Alta also helped raise Margaret Johnson Zimmer after Margaret’s mother died shortly after Margaret’s birth. Alta considered Margaret her daughter as well. Alta had a deep love for her Savior, Jesus Christ, and served him all her life.
She was a charter member of Faith Baptist Church in Kenmare where she was part of the Ladies’ Missions Circle, directed the Sparks in the AWANA program, taught Sunday School, and other various capacities. She also was a Gideon’s Auxiliary member, hosted Child Evangelism Good News Clubs, and helped with Good News Camp in Drake, ND. Her primary ministry focus was children.
After graduating high school, Alta worked at Wemark’s Drugstore in Kenmare and then became caregiver for Margaret Marie Johnson. Later, Alta did babysitting and then worked at the Kenmare Laundry. Alta enjoyed her life as mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.
She was known for her numerous, beautiful quilts that she quilted for her family. Each family member has at least two quilts made by Alta. Her 16 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren especially benefited when Alta would make one at their birth and another at their high school graduation and many in between.
She also was known as a talented cook and her specialties were fried chicken, krumkake, rosettes, pies, and her famous spritz cookies. Alta enjoyed gardening, crafting, puzzles, and reading. When Alta retired she enrolled in painting (acrylic, watercolor and oils) at the Lake View Art Club.
She became a talented painter in many mediums. Alta also enjoyed traveling. She travelled to Pakistan, Mexico, India, and Venezuela.
Alta and Alfred celebrated their 50th anniversary in 1998. They had a reception at Faith Baptist in Kenmare and later a family gathering at Lake Metigoshe. Alta and Alfred were married 56 years until Alfred’s death in 2005.
Alta is survived by: Her daughters, Joette Whims (Charles), Patti Beck (Ronald), Virginia (David) Bruns, Melody (Robert) Hunskor, Roxanne (Mark) Enget and honorary daughter, Margaret Zimmer; grandchildren are: Melody (Chad) Heppner, Gavin (Nicole) and Robert (Luwanna) Whims; Julie (Jairo) Ramos-Lagos, James, Jill, and Jon (Trisha) Beck; Brooke (Jordan) Sledge, Kristina Bruns, Kimberly (Ryan) Wheeler, and Daniel Bruns; Caleb and Micah Hunskor; Ashley and her fiancé, David Weaver, Brittani, and Charissa Enget; great grandchildren: Austin, Collin, and Bristol Whims; Madison and Ethan Whims; Alec Ramos-Lagos, Michael, Jessica, and Emily Beck; Ian, Flynn ,and Jasmine Sledge; Hannah and Trinity Wheeler; two sister-in-laws: Gladys Berg and Ruth Torkelson; many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Alta was preceded in death by her parents; parents-in-law; husband; infant son; brothers, Glen, Roy, and Russel and sisters, Lyda (Vernon) Nelson and Thelma (Clyde) Mayer; brother and sister-in-laws, Irene and Hartley Walters, Art and Aurene Johnson, Helen and Robert Wiegner, Maynard and Thelma Johnson, and Carl Berg. Funeral: Monday, February 11, 2019, at 11:00 a.m. at Faith Baptist Church, Kenmare, ND.
Lunch will be served afterwards. All are welcome. Interment: Lakeview Cemetery, Kenmare, ND.
Visitation: An hour prior to the funeral service at the church.
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