Elsa Johnson

ROCHESTER, MINN. Elsa D. "Sis" Johnson, 80, of Rochester and formerly of Rushford, died Monday, December 15, 2003, at her home in Fontaine Towers. Sis was born on June 16, 1923, in Great Neck, New York to Frederick Tolley Youngs Jr. and Elsa Jenny Augusta Schwensen Youngs. Sis lived in New York until her family moved to Miami, Florida when she was in her late teens. She met Wesley D. Johnson, a serviceman stationed in Miami. Sis and Wesley were married in Miami at an Episcopal Church on February 2, 1945. Wesley died on September 20, 1972. Sis and Wesley had lived in both Southeastern Minnesota and Miami through the years until 1954, when they bought a farm near Rushford, Minn. She lived on the farm until 2 years ago when she moved into the Fontaine Towers. Sis was a member of the Rushford Lutheran Church, Rushford Garden Club and the Rushford Saddle Club. Sis loved the outdoors, and had a very adventurous spirit. She enjoyed gardening and plants. Sis thoroughly enjoyed camping especially up in the Ely, Minn. area where she camped as recently as this past summer. She had a very soft spot in her heart for animals. Sis enjoyed taking many photos, most notably pictures of sunsets. She was employed at Camera Art in Lewiston, Minn. for 12 years where she specialized in air brushing photos. After her retirement Sis became a volunteer at Community Memorial Hospital in Winona where she was the Director of the Aviary. She is survived by two sons: Wayne (Sharon K.) Johnson and Linden (Heidi) Johnson both of Rushford; one daughter, Sharon D. Johnson of Rochester; five grandchildren: Kay, Chris, Erica, Nicole, and Adam; one great-granddaughter, Alyvia; one sister in Law, Charlotte Johnson of Whalan, Minn.; and by several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband and one sister, Alma Kate. The funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday December 18, at Rushford Lutheran Church with the Rev. Roger Michaelson Officiating. Burial will be in the Whalan Lutheran Cemetery in Whalan, Minn. Friends may call from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday at Hoff Funeral Homes - Rushford Chapel and one hour prior to the service on Thursday at the church. The family prefers memorials to be directed to the Breast Cancer Survivors or to Paws and Claws.