Reed “Bill” Johnson, 88

Reed William “Bill” Johnson, 88, died on May 9 at Reflections Care Suites Hospice in Northfield, MN. Bill was born on May 31, 1922, in Minneapolis, MN to Esther (Olsen) and Reed Nathan Johnson. After spending his pre-school years in Hanley Falls, Minnesota, Bill attended school in Tracy, graduating in 1940. He entered the Marine Corps during WWII, serving in the Pacific theatre. Upon his return, Bill earned a business degree from St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN. Bill was an owner/operator of grocery stores in Willmar and Tracy.  Later in his career, Bill was a sales rep. for Luxor Lighting Corp. 

Bill married Marian Elaine Donaldson from Tracy, MN on March 10, 1945 at Camp Lejeune, NC.   Together they raised six children. In their 66 years together, Bill and Marian spent most of their time in Tracy, and at their cabin on Lake Florida near Willmar. Bill and Marian spent winters in their later years in Mesa, AZ., and the last 11 years living in Northfield. 

Bill had a variety of interests throughout his life. He thoroughly enjoyed sports and traveling.  However, the main refrain running through the verses of Bill’s life was his love for music.  Bill met Marian while playing in the Tracy High School French Horn Quartet. He was a member of the Tracy Lutheran Church Choir, and would often sit at the piano and “chord” tunes.  Mostly, however, Bill was a barbershop singer in a number of choruses and quartets.  He was a member of the “Tracytones”, ” The Gay Nineties “, ” Men of Leisure”, “Off Broadway”, and more recently, the “Uncalled Four”.  When not at practices, Bill would often be listening to his extensive collection of records, tapes, and CDs.  Bill told his grandchildren that you are never too old to enjoy music.

Bill and Marian hosted two AFS (American Field Service-foreign exchange program).  Frank Labarta (1965-1966) from Spain, and Yolande Depois (1978-1979) from France.

Bill and Marian were inducted together into the Tracy High School Wall of Fame in 2007. 

Bill Johnson is survived by his wife, Marian of Northfield and their children and spouses Judy Tonolli, Shorewood: Carol (Bob) Talley, Tonka Bay; Doug (Michele) Johnson, Woodbury; Brian (Marcia) Johnson, Brooklyn Park; Reed (Cathy) Johnson, Breckenridge and Peggy (Pat) Zimmer, Rogersville, MO., along with 14 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.  Bill is also survived by his brother Paul Johnson, Eden Prairie and two sisters Rosanna Goebel, Farmington, MI and Kathy Cathcart of San Francisco, CA.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, his step-mother, Ruth Salhus Johnson and his brother David .

Funeral services will be held at Bethel Lutheran Church in Northfield on May 24th, followed by internment at Fort Snelling National Cemetary in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Memorials are preferred to family, who will then donate to the American Liver Foundation. 

 

Rosemary Santelman, 88

Rosemary Patricia Santelman was born October 22, 1922 in Red Wing, MN to Benjamin and Freida (Steffenhagen) Santelman.  She grew up on a farm near Old Frontenec, Minnesota and graduated from Red Wing High School. 

Rosemary was united in marriage to Richard L. Peterson in March of 1942 in Red Wing.  Rick enlisted into the military and Rosemary followed for a short time and returned to Red Wing waiting for Rick to come home.  Upon his return Rosemary and Rick started their family and were blessed with five (5) children.  Rick started his seminary training at St. Olaf and Rosemary was a homemaker.  During Richard’s ministry, the family moved around the country.  Rosemary continued being a homemaker and helping at church with ladies aid, bible studies, doing secretarial duties and printing bulletins.  In 1958, the family moved to Tracy and in 1971, they moved to Marshall.  There they started a radio ministry called Prayer Power Inc., which lasted 10 years up to Richard’s death in 1981.

In 1988, Rosemary married Harold Cassida at the Assembly of God in Willmar where they made their home in Alexandria, Minnesota.  After a car accident in 1996, Rosemary was left with a traumatic brain injury and Harold and Rosemary became estranged.     Rosemary enjoyed flower gardening, walking, biking, and driving.  Most of all, Rosemary loved being with friends and family, especially the grandchildren.  She loved to visit and socialize, but most important to Rosemary was her faith.

Rosemary died on Saturday, April 30, 2011 at Knute Nelson in Alexandria at the age of 88.  She is survived by her children, Kenneth Peterson of Brooklyn Center, Richard (Ruth) Peterson of St. Louis Park, Maren Reitsman of Minnetonka, David (Bev) Peterson of Alexandria, and John (Rebekah) of Plymouth; grandchildren, Ryan Peterson, Shawn (Lisa), Nathan, and Jennifer Reitsma; Benjamin, Adam (Annie) and Ross Peterson; and Justin and Mackenzie Peterson; great-grandchildren, Ashley, Thomas and Grant Reitsma; brother, Kenneth (Marcie) Santelman of Glencoe; sister, Kay (Elmer) Iverson of Zephyrhills, Florida, and many nieces and nephews.  Rosemary is preceded in death by her parents, Benjamin, and Freida; husband, the Rev. Richard Peterson; and brothers Chester, Harold, and Winifred. 

A memorial service was held on Friday, May 6, 2011 at Knute Nelson Chapel in Alexandria with Reverend Jim Oakland officiating.  Music was provided by son, John Peterson.  Internment was held at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Honorary urn bearers were Rosemary’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Arrangements are with the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria.

www.andersonfuneral.net