Linda Johnson
Linda (Schroeder) Johnson, age 77, formerly of Litchfield, Minnesota, passed away on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, at the Trails of Orono in Wayzata. A memorial service will be held at 2:30 PM on Saturday, November 23, 2024, at the Litchfield Christian Church in Litchfield. Visitation will be from 1:00 PM until 2:30 PM at the church. Arrangements are with Sturm Funeral Home. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sturmfh.com.
Linda Irene Schroeder, the daughter of Charles “Bud” and Lois Schroeder, was born on June 11, 1947, in Staples, MN. She grew up in a loving family, which included her charismatic and often rambunctious younger brother Charlie.
She and her family were very active in the Church of Christ in Staples, where her mother played the piano (into her 70’s) and her father was a jack-of-all trades handyman. She was near the top of her class academically (being just beaten out in ranking by her cousin Keith) and also participated in the choir and band programs (playing the trombone) and graduated from Staples High School in 1965.
Linda then continued her interest in music education attending Minnesota Bible College in Minneapolis, where she met her future husband. On August 1, 1970, Linda married Lyle “Rick” Johnson in Bloomington, MN, and “inherited” the large family she had always hoped for. They lived briefly in Ames, IA while Rick finished his Master’s degree in Ag Science at Iowa State, and after he got a job with Land-O-Lakes, together they moved to their long-time home in Litchfield.
She and Rick raised their three children in Litchfield. She enjoyed being a part of a small-town community and was especially proud to be a member of the Litchfield Christian Church. Linda played the organ during church services for more than 40 years, sang in the choir and was active with her Bible Study group which created lifelong friendships.
After her kids got older, Linda started teaching piano lessons, which she did for 25 years. Many of her students learned that if they started talking about sports or last Sunday’s Vikings game, their 30-minute lesson could quickly be dwindled down to only a few minutes of actual playing time.
Linda was a passionate Litchfield Dragons fan, faithfully attending all of her kids’ sporting events and school activities. She never missed a band concert or a parade and traveled many miles watching her kids perform in the Marching Band.
Despite her husband’s Iowa upbringing, she converted him over to ‘Maroon and Gold’ and they remained long-time season ticket holders and supporters of U of MN Gopher Athletics.
One of her favorite things was to go out for a strong cup of coffee with her many friends. She also enjoyed listening to and playing music, going to concerts, cooking, shopping, scrapbooking and traveling which she did extensively (visiting all 50 states and taking numerous cruises and trips abroad).
Linda was a terrific friend, an incredibly caring and supportive Mom, and the most loving Grandma that any grandkid could ask for…she will be missed dearly!
She is survived by her brother, Charles (Patty) Schroeder of Little Falls; children, Ben (Nancy) Johnson of Orono, Josh (Dayna) Johnson of Minnetrista, and Laura (John) Sullivan of Eden Prairie; and grandchildren, Charles Johnson, William Johnson, Rachel Johnson, Morgan Johnson, Gavin Johnson, Faith Doege, Caleb Doege, Madison Doege, Aubree Doege, Aidan Sullivan and Owen Sullivan. She was preceded in death by her parents and her one-of-a-kind husband, Rick Johnson.
In lieu of flowers, memorials to Alzheimer’s Association Minnesota are preferred by family.
Linda (Schroeder) Johnson, age 77, formerly of Litchfield, Minnesota, passed away on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, at the Trails of Orono in Wayzata. A memorial service will be held at 2:30 PM on Saturday, November 23, 2024, at the Litchfield Christian Church in Litchfield. Visitation will be from 1:00 PM until 2:30 PM at the church. Arrangements are with Sturm Funeral Home. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sturmfh.com.
Linda Irene Schroeder, the daughter of Charles “Bud” and Lois Schroeder, was born on June 11, 1947, in Staples, MN. She grew up in a loving family, which included her charismatic and often rambunctious younger brother Charlie.
She and her family were very active in the Church of Christ in Staples, where her mother played the piano (into her 70’s) and her father was a jack-of-all trades handyman. She was near the top of her class academically (being just beaten out in ranking by her cousin Keith) and also participated in the choir and band programs (playing the trombone) and graduated from Staples High School in 1965.
Linda then continued her interest in music education attending Minnesota Bible College in Minneapolis, where she met her future husband. On August 1, 1970, Linda married Lyle “Rick” Johnson in Bloomington, MN, and “inherited” the large family she had always hoped for. They lived briefly in Ames, IA while Rick finished his Master’s degree in Ag Science at Iowa State, and after he got a job with Land-O-Lakes, together they moved to their long-time home in Litchfield.
She and Rick raised their three children in Litchfield. She enjoyed being a part of a small-town community and was especially proud to be a member of the Litchfield Christian Church. Linda played the organ during church services for more than 40 years, sang in the choir and was active with her Bible Study group which created lifelong friendships.
After her kids got older, Linda started teaching piano lessons, which she did for 25 years. Many of her students learned that if they started talking about sports or last Sunday’s Vikings game, their 30-minute lesson could quickly be dwindled down to only a few minutes of actual playing time.
Linda was a passionate Litchfield Dragons fan, faithfully attending all of her kids’ sporting events and school activities. She never missed a band concert or a parade and traveled many miles watching her kids perform in the Marching Band.
Despite her husband’s Iowa upbringing, she converted him over to ‘Maroon and Gold’ and they remained long-time season ticket holders and supporters of U of MN Gopher Athletics.
One of her favorite things was to go out for a strong cup of coffee with her many friends. She also enjoyed listening to and playing music, going to concerts, cooking, shopping, scrapbooking and traveling which she did extensively (visiting all 50 states and taking numerous cruises and trips abroad).
Linda was a terrific friend, an incredibly caring and supportive Mom, and the most loving Grandma that any grandkid could ask for…she will be missed dearly!
She is survived by her brother, Charles (Patty) Schroeder of Little Falls; children, Ben (Nancy) Johnson of Orono, Josh (Dayna) Johnson of Minnetrista, and Laura (John) Sullivan of Eden Prairie; and grandchildren, Charles Johnson, William Johnson, Rachel Johnson, Morgan Johnson, Gavin Johnson, Faith Doege, Caleb Doege, Madison Doege, Aubree Doege, Aidan Sullivan and Owen Sullivan. She was preceded in death by her parents and her one-of-a-kind husband, Rick Johnson.
In lieu of flowers, memorials to Alzheimer’s Association Minnesota are preferred by family.
