Ella Violet Johnsen

Ella Violet Johnsen, 96, of Red Wing, died Thursday, June 17, 2010 at St. Marys Hospital in Rochester. She was born August 28, 1913 on the family farm in Trenton Township to Hans and Laura (Haug) Nelson. Ella attended Wilson School in Trenton Township. She was baptized and confirmed in Bethlehem Lutheran Church in rural Ellsworth where she attended church, Sunday School, and served as an organist for twenty years. Ella was the youngest of seven children, four brothers, Henry, Jens, Norman and Walter, and two sisters, Olga (Albin Johnson) and Hannah (John Kind). She married Fritz Johnsen on June 25, 1936. She first met Fritz at a Farmer's Union meeting and said, "I'm going to marry that man." In 1940 the couple took over the switchboard and lineman positions of Hager City Telephone Company until 1964 when the company converted to dial. Ella and Fritz took several trips to Norway and Denmark. She was a 25 year member of the Sons of Norway in Red Wing. She treasured monthly Bible Study with the Bethlehem Ladies.

She is survived by her children, Norena (John) Bartlett of Ellsworth, Carmen (Don) Kyllo of Rochester, and Laura (Dave) Telschow of Savage; grandchildren, Anna Bartlett (Jay), Tom (Sandy) Bartlett, Caty Bartlett (Mark), Teresa (Troy) Hanson, Kory (Stephanie) Kyllo, Steve (Erin) Kyllo, Liz Telschow, Ben Telschow; great-grandchildren, Jake Sterny, Lucas Sterny, Alex Bartlett, Jackson Bartlett, Samantha Carlstrom, Nate Carlstrom, Michael Kyllo, Ethan Kyllo, Crissy Hanson, Travis Hanson, Jena Kothbauer, and Jenae Schlosser and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Fritz; parents; grandson, John David Bartlett, and six siblings.

Funeral service will be 2 p.m. Sunday, June 20, 2010 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Ellsworth with Reverend Mary Eide officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Arrangements handled by Mahn Family Funeral Homes, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel. www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com