Obituary of Ruth Maxine Johnson

Ruth Johnson, was welcomed into heaven by Jesus Christ, her Lord and Savior on 8am on April 16, 2015 at Ecumen Senior Living Facility in North Branch, Minnesota after living a joy filled life as a wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, friend and Christ-follower. Born in 1927 in Lecompton, Kansas at the forefront of the Great Depression, Ruth grew up on a farm as a daughter of farmers, Frank and Matilda Brubaker. Surviving dust bowl storms, hungry bellies, tight shoes, endless meals consisting of carrots and the Kansas winters with her younger brother, Dewey, created a woman of resounding strength and perseverance (and who hated carrots). Ruth left all that she knew because she felt she could learn more by attending business school in Topeka. It was in Topeka that she met a “whippersnapper” of a young man at a local church service. Ruth attended the service on the arms of another man only to be confronted by a young 17 year old boy who thought he could sweep her off her feet...she pretty much laughed at his audacious mannerisms and outgoing attitude. She was “too refined” for such a boy. BUT something about this young man captured her heart. Something about him lured her to accept his courtship offer. She left that night in the arms of Harland. In 1948 this feisty young man did sweep Ruth off her feet in marriage at Trinity Lutheran Church in Topeka, Kansas. It was that day she became the wife of Harland Johnson. A short ten months later, the young married couple found themselves the parents to their first child, Rick Johnson. Their family grew over the next few years to welcome in two artistically talented girls, Chris Johnson and Marilyn Johnson. Ruth and Harland raised their children to become strong, independent adults who pursued their dreams and passions in cities across the globe. But it was in 1973 that a tiny little bundle of joy once again disrupted the normal routine as their first grandchild, Shelly was born. With the details and stresses of parenting behind her, Ruth dappled on her creative side. Her love for knitting and sewing took a turn from the necessity to the spoiling. She knitted sweaters, hats and booties. She cut, sewed and stuffed pieces of fabric to take on formations of little animals to be loved and cuddled by her grandchild. And her stuffed animal passions exploded when Ryan Johnson was born in 1976. A tiny boys room overflowed with stuffed animals all created by his loving grandma. Ruth knitted sweaters, made animals, fixed torn blankies, beaded tiny Barbie doll wedding dresses and much more over the years as her two grandchildren grew older. Ruth’s knitting blessed many others outside of her family. She knitted on a daily basis tiny booties and hats for the preemies at a local hospital. She loved and cared for local elderly neighbors and church members with food. Ruth also volunteered her time for many organizations over the span of her life. Between the years of 1999 to 2009, Ruth and Harland were blessed with five great-grandchildren. Brayden, Logan and Makenna were born to Jason and Shelly Arnold. Jake and Luke were born to Ryan and Katie Johnson. As Ruth and Harland moved further from the hub of their grandchildren and great-grandchildren, they continued to travel back to Kansas City for birthdays and Christmases as much as they could. Ruth continued to grow and perfect her needlework over the years. She continued to knit but also crocheted, did hardanger embroidery and cross-stitch. Her hardanger became one of her favorite pastimes. She enjoyed the needlework and entered it in many competitions. One such competition sent her piece to Washington D.C. for honors. Unfortunately, as the years passed, the Parkinson’s disease that rattled throughout Ruth’s body, hindered her from completing many of her needlework pieces. A disease that she has lived with for the last 25 years at that moment was taking over her ability to control her movements. While Ruth may have struggled with the physical effects of this debilitating disease, she and Harland obediently listened to God. Upon their move to Cambridge in 2005, the couple started a support group to help other struggling with this disease. The heart and willingness to help others continued to be a part of the daily life that Ruth and Harland walked. To bless others through the hard stuff. Ruth and Harland were strong in their faith. Hand-in-hand, they read God’s Word on a daily basis and prayed together. Ruth faithfully shared her gifts of needlework and hospitality as she served at her local church. And she shared her passion of her faith with those around her. The struggles of the Parkinson’s disease were apparent in the final days of Ruth’s life. But on April 16, 2015, Ruth was greeted at the gates and received a pain-free body and a warm welcome by her Savior, Jesus Christ. Ruth is survived by her husband, Harland Johnson, her children, Rick Johnson (and Suzie), Chris Johnson (and Claire), Marilyn Johnson. Her grandchildren Shelly Arnold (and Jason) and Ryan Johnson (and Katie). Her five great grandchildren, Brayden, Logan, Makenna, Jake and Luke. Ruth is also survived by her brother Dewey Brubaker of Topeka, Kansas. “We love her very much and she will be greatly missed. We had lived a very beautiful and meaningful life for over 66 years.” --Harland