Betty June Johnson

Betty June Johnson, 76 of Devils Lake, ND passed early morning on Thursday, September 19, 2024, in the presence of her family at Mercy Hospital.

 There will be a gathering of family and friends on Monday, September 23, 2024 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake. Funeral Services will be on Tuesday, September 24, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Devils Lake with burial in the Devils Lake Cemetery.

Betty June Johnson, daughter of Carl and Hazel (Aamodt) Elgaen was born on June 9, 1948, in Devils Lake, ND. She was raised in Bartlett and attended school in Lakota, graduating from Lakota High School in 1966. Betty married Gary E. Johnson on June 24th, 1966, in Devils Lake. They lived in Montana for a short while, then moved to Olathe, KS where their oldest daughters, Carol and Sally, were born. They returned to the Lake Region area in 1973, welcoming their youngest children, Carla and Gary, a few years later. They spent time in Bartlett, Lakota, and Minnewaukan before settling in Devils Lake and purchasing their family home in 1984.

Betty was an all-rounded crafter. She crocheted afghans, Christmas stockings, booties, hats, and scarves for her children and often gave them as gifts to friends and family. She was a fantastic seamstress—she made beautiful patchwork quilts and sewed her own skirts to wear to square dances with her husband. She embroidered tea towels, dabbled in wood-working, and could often be found selling what she didn’t give away at local craft fairs.

An avid gardener, Betty maintained a thriving garden for around thirty years, growing tomatoes, cucumbers, rhubarb, pumpkins, and more. She loved taking her kids and eventually grandkids to help her tend to and cultivate her plants. She used her fresh produce to make a variety of canned vegetables, jams and jellies, and dill and beet pickles. Folks from around town would come to her garage sales in search of her renowned rhubarb jelly.

Betty loved to be with those she cared about and was often found hosting get-togethers and parties. She was always up to go fishing, camping or take spontaneous road trips with her husband and family. Her love for family was evident in everything she did and the quality time she spent with each and everyone. Her children and grandchildren will miss her impromptu calls and constant encouragement.

 Betty is survived by her daughters Carol Johnson, Sally (Gene Jr.) LaMotte, Carla (Paul) Bjornson; son Gary D. Johnson, all of Devils Lake, ND; brother Sid Elgaen, Overland Park, KS; aunt Mable Rabideaux, Devils Lake; grandchildren; Loralee (Matt) Ellison, Leeds, ND, Lukas (Mychal) LaMotte, Bottineau, ND, Morningstar Bjornson, Atlanta, GA, Cody Bjornson, Omaha, NE, Dominick Bjornson, Fargo, ND, Kali Bjornson and Katiri Bjornson, Cleveland, OH, and Marcus Miller, Kayla Miller, Jonah Bjornson, Tyray Bjornson, Terrance Bjornson, Shyree Bjornson and Bella Johnson all of Devils Lake; great grandchildren Alexis Hill, Leeds, ND, and Elliot Morin, Devils Lake; sisters-in-law Louise Johnson, Stone Mountain, GA; and Jane (Ralph) Wentz, Devils Lake and several nieces and nephews.

 Betty was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years Gary; parents Carl and Hazel Elgaen; infant daughter Mary Jo; sisters Carol Wilkinson and Myrtle (Earl) Burdick, brothers Alfred (Linda) Elgaen, Carl Elgaen Jr, and twin infant brothers; infant grandson, Clay James LaMotte; brothers-in-law Jimmy, Roger, and Ronnie Johnson; parents-in-law Nellie and Ernest Johnson.

Casket Bearers for Betty will be Lukas LaMotte, Brian Johnson, Paul Bjornson, Dominick Bjornson, Tyray Bjornson, and Terrance Bjornson. Honorary Bearers will be Betty’s nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great grandchildren.