From the Austin (MN) Daily Herald, July 2, 1934:

MRS. BERTHA JOHNSON

Mrs. Bertha Johnson was born at [Grøto], near [Lærdal] Bay, Norway, on October 16, 1855.

When she was nearly six years old, the family came to America, landing at Quebec, after a rough thirteen weeks voyage on a sail boat. Several weeks of this time, they were lost in a fog and were near Greenland. The first destination of the family was at De Soto, Wis., but later they came by oxen in covered wagons to Owatonna - then a small frontier settlement several years before the railroad came through from Winona, and settled on a homestead seven miles east, where the brave rugged parents with their six daughters were destined to make their home for so many years. The parents lived on the same farm and died on the same day soon after they had celebrated their Golden wedding anniversary.

Mrs. Johnson was a pioneer. The hardships, the losses, the loneliness, and all the fatiguing burdens that Nature imposes upon those who, in the early days, ventured beyond the established boundaries of civilization, were hers in full measure and had woven themselves into the warp and woof of her life. But strange to say, the struggles in the hard and exacting environments of the frontier, left no mark of bitterness or regret; instead they left only a broadened sympathy and kindled a warmth of soul that revealed itself in every conversation. How little, we of this modern day, realize our debt to the rugged character and sturdy spirit of those who bore the brunt of a new world and smoothed a path for us to follow.

But somehow, these trying experiences generated determination and strength of purpose that all through the changing seasons refused to be turned aside in any emergency.

In spite of physical affliction, this good woman maintained her serenity, poise and wholesome freshness of mind and heart. Every human activity continued to hold its appeal and welcome radio and the daily papers supplied the eager enjoyments of the latest news. Scores there are, who made their way to her sick room in the past weeks that she had lain in helplessness, to bring their tribute of flowers and encouragement, but who, in some mysterious way, have left her presence with stouter hearts and more uplift of mind and courage than when they came. She loved folks, and that enriching quality seemed to transmit itself to all with whom she came in contact, and came back to her through the hundreds of friends who clung to her throughout the passing years.

She lived in a beautiful faith that sustained and comforted her through her period of enforced inactivity. Her strong philosophy enabled her to look with perfect peace and calmness upon the Great Change itself. To her, it never was viewed as a termination, but as a time of embarking on a journey to meet the loved ones who had gone on before; a setting sail upon a beautiful sea, where present physical limitations and shortcoming were swept away and where glorious opportunities are given us all to correct our mistakes and become what we want to be. To have known such a woman is an honor - to have felt the touch of her ministering hand has been a benediction. It is the kindly career of women like her, that supplies our strength and inspires us to do more nobly our lowliest human tasks.

Mrs. Johnson was married when she was twenty years old to her childhood playmate and sweetheart, John L. Johnson. To this union, two sons and two daughters were born; Leander of Tacoma, Wash., Theodore of Portland, Ore., Maybelle (Mrs. H.E. Mooney) of Amery, Wis., and Gertrude (Mrs. A.G. Thompson) of Austin.

Mr. and Mrs. Johnson retired from farming twenty-seven years ago and moved to Amery, Wis., where Mr. Johnson died two years later. Since then, she had made her home in Amery, practically all the time, with her daughter, Mrs. A.G. Thompson, the family moving to Austin about four years ago.

Mrs. [Johnson] died on Friday, June 29, at the home of her daughter, just as the sun was setting - an appropriate hour for her departure from this life.

Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon at the Congregational Church in Austin, Rev. J.G. Morgan officiating. In accordance with her request, the beautiful ritual service of the Eastern Star was conducted by the Past Matrons of Unity Chapter. Six nephews acted as pallbearers. Interment was made in the Thompson cemetery near Owatonna in the old home community.

Besides her four children, she leaves three sisters, Mrs. C.N. [Olena] Hillestad and Mrs. A.O. [Bell] Anderson of Owatonna, and Mrs. J.O. [Hannah] Anderson of Amery, Wis., nine grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

She was a member of the First Congregational Church of Amery, Wis., also of the Riverside Chapter O.E.S. and the Golden Link Rebekah Lodge of Amery, Wis.

Among those from a distance who came to attend her funeral were Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Morrison, Mrs. J.O. Anderson, Allen Mooney, Mrs. and Mrs. E.B. Remeund, Miss Frances Preble, Mrs. Geo. Ogden, Mr. and Mrs. Edw. Hillestad of Amery, Wis., Mrs. C.N. Hillestad, Mr. and Mrs. Joe Hillestad, Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Hillestad, Mr. and Mrs. Halvor Moe, Mr. and Mrs. Louis Selthun, Mrs. Mable Pegg Simpson, Mrs. E.C. Naylor, Mrs. Minnie S. Casper, Mrs. Edgar Patchett, Theo. Thompson, Mr. and Mrs. Maurice Hillestad, Mrs. John Jenson, Mrs. Chas. Rypka of Owatonna, Mrs. A. Johnson of Milan, Mrs. Wm. Cornelius of LeRoy, Mr. and Mrs. Lyle Olcott, Mr. Fred Olcott of St. Croix Falls, Wis., Mr. and Mrs. Henry Mellem and Mrs. Clinton Lundberg of Minneapolis, Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Thompson of Blooming Prairie and Andrist Thompson of Rochester.

Her sons were unable to attend her funeral and her daughter, Mrs. Mooney, was prevented from attending at the last hour, by a serious emergency operation on her little daughter.