Ruth Johnson

Ruth Mette Johnson gently passed away December 3, 2020 at Ecumen Lakeshore in Duluth. Ruth was born 1929 in Ijui, Brazil, to Albert and Anna Mette, an American Lutheran minister and a German immigrant. When she was 12 years old, she, her parents, and brother John moved to Kansas City, Missouri. Her first languages were German and Portuguese. Reading every book she could get her hands on allowed her to learn English rapidly. She graduated from high school in Deshler, Nebraska, and then from nursing school in St. Louis, Missouri. Her first nursing job was at Denver Children’s Hospital. She moved to Minneapolis in 1950 to work at General Hospital in Minneapolis, living with fellow nurses on Lake of the Isles. They worked hard, had a good time together, and remained dear friends. She married Gunnar Johnson in 1960 and had two children, Eric and Judith. She continued in nursing at Texas Terrace Home in St. Louis Park. She was an excellent baker of bread and sweets and an accomplished seamstress. She volunteered for many years with her friends at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church in Plymouth, baking and bringing cakes to the monthly birthday party for seniors in assisted living. She also volunteered for North Memorial’s hospice program after she retired from nursing, giving respite to caregivers. She and Gunnar enjoyed camping at Minnesota state parks, traveling, and time with family. She was a loving grandmother to her only grandchild, José, and a loving aunt to her nieces and nephews. After Gunnar died in 2010, dementia slowly and then rapidly took the person we knew. She spent her last years at Ecumen Lakeshore Memory Care, under the expert care of the incredible staff there. Eric and Judith are grateful for their tenderness with her and with us, especially at the end. She was preceded in death by her husband Gunnar, brother John Mette and his wife Florence, and Gunnar’s five sisters and three brothers. Ruth is survived by son Eric Johnson of New Hope, MN, Judith Johnson and husband John Morrice and their son José Morrice of Duluth, MN, and many nieces and nephews. Memorial will be announced in 2021. Arrangements are by Williams-Lobermeier-Boettcher, 3208 W 3rd St, Duluth MN 55806.