Charlotte Johnsrud, 1925-2014
Published 9:00 am Sunday, May 4, 2014
Memorial Services for Charlotte L. Johnsrud of Albert Lea will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at First Lutheran Church in Albert Lea. The Rev. John Holt will officiate. Interment will be in Lakewood Cemetery. Friends may visit with family one hour before services at the church.
Charlotte was born on Sept. 20, 1925, in Sigsbee, the daughter of Irvin R. and Florence L. Hanson. Charlotte grew up in Hayward and graduated from Albert Lea High School. Charlotte married Jack Johnsrud on Dec. 1, 1946, at Hayward Lutheran Church and celebrated nearly 65 years of marriage.
Charlotte worked several years as a bookkeeper for Wilson & Co. Later she worked as a general ledger bookkeeper at Freeborn National Bank, later First Bank and U.S. Bank, retiring after more than 17 years. She also worked as a secretary for attorney John R. Peterson.
Charlotte was an active member of First Lutheran Church as a Sunday school teacher and in the church’s circles. She was also very involved in her sons’ schools activities and the PTA.
Besides her church volunteer involvement, Charlotte had many friends and enjoyed playing bridge and 500 in card clubs. She had many other hobbies and interests as well. She learned to knit, crochet and do needlepoint; was an avid reader; loved playing bingo, Scrabble and other board games; golfed and bowled and developed into an enthusiastic Minnesota Twins fan.
In her retirement years, she and Jack looked forward to bus tours and visiting family and relatives.
Charlotte often accompanied Jack when he transported cars throughout the Midwest.
Charlotte died on Wednesday, April 30, 2014, at St. John’s Lutheran Community. She was 88.
Charlotte is survived by her sons Kimry (Kathleen) Johnsrud of Brookfield, Wis., Kevin (Mary) Johnsrud of Plymouth and Tom (Jennifer) Johnsrud of Plainfield, Ill.; grandchildren Elizabeth (John) Devins of Menomonee Falls, Wis., Monica Johnsrud of New York City and her fiancé, Nathan Soderstrom, Kyle Johnsrud of St. Louis Park, Ryan Johnsrud of Plymouth, Peter Johnsrud of Plainfield and Amanda Shook, also of Plainfield.
Of special mention, Charlotte had a sister, Donna (Dale) Heilman, of Albert Lea and brother, Russell (Patricia) Hanson, of Hastings. Charlotte was blessed to be very close to Donna and Dale and Russell and Patricia and their families, spending time with them and sharing many experiences together throughout her lifetime. Donna and Dale made special efforts to visit or talk to Charlotte daily. She had several nieces, nephews and cousins who also helped Charlotte with her appointments and errands.
Charlotte was preceded in death by her husband, Jack, and parents.
Charlotte will be remembered for putting others ahead of herself and her hard work. Most importantly, she will be remembered for her love of her family, and as a mother who instilled lifelong values with her sons.