NELLIE P. JOHNSON

Nellie P. Johnson, 88 of Devils Lake, ND passed away on Monday evening, January 23, 2012 in Devils Lake. Funeral Services for Nellie will be held on Monday, January 30, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Devils Lake with Rev. Timothy Stout officiating. Burial will be in the Devils Lake Cemetery. Visitation for Nellie will be held on Sunday from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. at Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake and visitation on Monday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral service. Serving as Casket Bearers for Nellie will be Ralph Wentz, Roger Wentz, Larry Wentz, Gary Johnson Jr., Gene LaMotte, Jr. and Lucas LaMotte. Honorary Bearers will be Kelly Walker and Brett Walker. Music will be Congregational Hymns with Mavis Blake, accompanist. Nellie Pauline was born on April 6, 1923 at New Rockford, ND the daughter of Anton Nicoli and Nellie Gertrude (Pugh) Rugroden. At a young age, the family moved to Devils Lake where she was raised and educated. On October 23, 1943, Nellie was united in marriage to Ernest A. Johnson Jr. at Devils Lake. Here they would make their home and raise their family through the years. Ernest passed away on January 18, 1967. She was a long time member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church. Nellie was a devoted wife and mother. She was a “stay at home Mom” who was a single parent for many years after the death of Ernest and she made raising and providing for her children her number one priority. Nellie is survived by her daughter Jane J. and her husband Ralph Wentz of Devils Lake; sons Gary E. Johnson and his wife Betty also of Devils Lake and Ronald Johnson and his wife Louise of Stone Mountain, Georgia; grandchildren Donna (Brett) Walker, Roger (Leslie) Wentz and Cathy (Kelly) Walker; Carol Johnson, Sally (Gene) LaMotte Jr., Carla (Paul) Bjornson and Gary Johnson Jr.; Joshua Johnson; Jason Johnson, Kevin Johnson and Brian (Candace) Johnson; numerous great grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and their families. Nellie was preceded in death by her parents; husband Ernest; sons Roger Johnson and Jim Johnson who passed away January 13, 2012; granddaughter Mary Jo Johnson; brothers Helmer, Paul, Tony and Lawrence Rugroden and sisters Mary Walhood and Corrine Mae Rugroden.