Phemie Harriet Johnson was born April 17, 1923 in Kragero Township, Chippewa County, Minnesota, the daughter of Alvin and Rena (Kalmoe) Lia. She was baptized and confirmed at Kviteseid Lutheran Church in Milan. Phemie was raised in the Appleton and Milan area, where she attended country school and graduated from Appleton High School in 1941. On September 14, 1947, Phemie was united in marriage to Harvey Ordell Johnson at Zion Lutheran Church in Appleton. This union was blessed with over 48 years together and four children: Deborah, Janet, Alicia, and James. Phemie was a homemaker and worked many years as a bank teller at Northwestern State Bank in Appleton. She loved her family, friends, the farm, sewing, painting, and baking. We will all remember and miss, her banana bread, lefse, krumkake, and the hundreds of meals she delighted in preparing for anyone who dropped in. She enjoyed her trips to the casino and chasing with friends, whom she cherished dearly. Phemie was a devoted wife, and for several years caregiver to her husband Harvey. Phemie lived her entire life in the Appleton area and enjoyed the past few years living in the Apple Ridge community. Phemie passed away on November 13, 2015, in her home. She attained 92 years, 6 months, and 26 days of age. She is survived by her children: Deborah (Don) Kleven of Fergus Falls, Janet (Ken) LaDuke of Burnsville, Alicia (Larry) Kittelson of Milan, and James (Alicia) Johnson of Placitas, NM; 9 grandchildren: Leah (Aric) Oeltjen, Bjorn Kleven, Nikolai (Britta) Kleven, Rena (Grey) Boyer, Eliza LaDuke, Hannah Kittelson (Jason Tran), Lydia Kittelson, Evan (Sonja) Johnson, Kael (Brad) Rude; 6 great-grandchildren: Phemie, Adeline, and August Oeltjen, Hjalmar Kleven, Alexandra and Mason Boyer; sister, Janet Norby of Knoxville, IA; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Harvey in 1996; her parents, Alvin and Rena Lia; sister, Gladys Matthews in 1972; and several cousins. Blessed be the memory of Phemie Harriet Johnson.
