Margaret Johnson

I da “Margaret” Carlson Johnson of Hershey died at the family farm on Monday, February 28, 2022.

Margaret was born to Peter and Anna Carlson, Swedish immigrants, in McKeesport, PA on April 20, 1926. Growing up during the great depression, her family suffered many hardships. Margaret and her older sister took on many of the household and childcare duties because her mother was afflicted with severe arthritis. She was confirmed and became a member of Tabor Lutheran Church on July 13, 1941, where she was active in Luther League and sang in the choir. She attended schools in McKeesport and was a high school student during the years of World War II. During the war, she worked at the Immigration Office in McKeesport, doing general office work and filing, as well as at the rationing station issuing ration books. Because there was such a need for office workers, in her senior year of 1944, she attended high school ½ day and worked ½ day for the credit department of Potter-McCune Company. She continued her employment there in the office until her marriage.

Margaret began a pen-pal relationship with Roland Johnson when she was a freshman in high school. They corresponded for many years before they actually met in 1945. She married Roland, of Hershey, NE on November 10, 1946. Margaret and Roland lived on the farm near Hershey, NE until they moved in August of 1947 to Wahoo, NE, so Roland could attend Luther College. In Wahoo, Margaret worked as a secretary and bookkeeper for the local clinic with three doctors.

In 1949, after Roland’s graduation they returned to make their home on a dairy farm near Hershey and raised their four children there. She and Roland were amazing partners in many ways. She was an excellent cook and baker, and was a welcoming hostess in her home. She was busy with gardening, canning, and sewing for her family. She was also a 4-H Club leader.

Margaret was a member of Maria Lutheran Church, where she taught Sunday school and led the children’s choir at church, typed the bulletin, worked as church custodian, and volunteered in many other capacities. Later, she was an associate member of the First Presbyterian Church in North Platte.

Margaret is survived by her children, Tim (Terri) Johnson of Hershey, Rev. Renae Johnson of Lincoln, NE, Amy (Rev. Mike) Williams of Kerrville, TX, and Christine (John) Buller of Hesston KS, grandchildren, Craig (Jennifer) Johnson, Dr. Karissa Johnson (Ryan) Sander, Christopher (Lauren Urban) Williams, Eric (Annabelle) Williams, Lynn (Dylan) Kimmen, Erica (Dr. Andrew Sensenig) Buller, and Heidi (Tim) Huber, seventeen great grandchildren, a sister-in-law, Frances Force, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Margaret was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Roland, her siblings and spouses, Cathryn (Ernest) Bodo, Ruth (Leo) Schweitzer Bill (Doris) Carlson, and Alice Carlson, sister-in-law and spouse, Eleanor (Richard) Anderson, and brother-in-law, Don Force.

Funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 5, 2022, at Maria Lutheran Church in Hershey with Pastor Wade Hudson officiating. Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery, northwest of Hershey. The casket will be closed.

Family will be greeting friends from 7-9 p.m. on Friday, March 4, 2022, at Maria Lutheran Fellowship Hall. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Maria Lutheran Church or Grace Ministries Food Pantry in North Platte. Online condolences may be shared at odeanchapel.com. Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore is in charge of arrangements.