Anita Louise Johnson

Anita Louise Johnson passed away March 11th, 2026 with her family by her side.

Anita was born November 4th, 1939 in Kettle River, MN to Joel and Alma Anderson. Anita grew up in Lawler, MN before moving to a farm outside Floodwood, MN where she graduated from Floodwood High School. Anita married Robert Johnson in 1958 and they later moved to Duluth, MN and raised 5 children in their home in the Endion neighborhood. Anita earned her Bachelors of Nursing from the College of Saint Scholastica and worked as a nurse, a ceramics teacher, and later a secretary at Summit School.

Anita was a proud member of Duluth's Hope United Methodist Church for over 60 years. She was a staunch Minnesota Vikings fan who proudly wore purple to the very end. She enjoyed spending time by the fire outside at the family cabin on Prairie Lake. Anita was proud of her Finnish-American heritage and seemed to know a factoid about every farm within 50 miles of McGregor, and loved sharing stories about local and family history. She was most proud talking about her children and grandchildren.

Anita is survived by her children Tamera Johnson (Caroll) of Minnetonka, MN; Doreen Johnson (Robin) of White Bear Lake; MN, Janell Smith (Richard) of Duluth; Todd Johnson (Keli) of Oliver, WI; and Kurt Johnson (Shelley) of White Bear Lake; 8 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren; her brother Jim Anderson of Floodwood; and many friends and family. She is preceded in death by her husband Robert, siblings Gordy and Carol, and parents Alma and Joel.

The family would like to thank all the staff that supported Anita both at Hilltop Healthcare and St Luke's Aspirus ICU.

A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, 4/12/2026 at Hope United Methodist Church in Duluth at 2 PM with a visitation starting at 1 PM and a luncheon to follow. In lieu of flowers; memorials are preferred to Hope United Methodist Church, CHUM, or the Boys and Girls Club of Duluth.