Lorna J. Johnson

Lorna's memorial service will be livestreamed below at 1:00 PM Wednesday, April 14, 2021. https://vimeo.com/event/893755 Lorna June Goplen, 88, went home to the Lord surrounded by the love of family April 9, 2021 under the care of Ethos Hospice and Bethany Homes on 42nd of Fargo, ND. Many messages, conversations, fond memories, and loving embraces were shared with her during her final hours. Lorna was born June 28, 1932 at her home near Cottonwood, MN the daughter of Ben and Frances Goplen and was given the nickname “Doone” (after the Lorna Doone cookies). In 1950 she married Harold C. Jordahl and they raised their children in the Fargo area. After separating, she lived in Longmont, Colorado for several years. She returned to the Fargo area and married Kenneth Johnson, Sr. in 1984. They lived in several places including Big Cormorant Lake, MN, and later in Fargo, eventually transitioning to assisted living there. Her most recent home was Bethany on 42nd where she resided for the last few years. Lorna relished helping others, graduating high school with a desire to work in the medical field. She completed courses to become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) and worked at St. Ansgar’s Hospital and Dakota Hospital. Throughout her life, she worked as a cashier at Dahl’s Super Valu, a lobbyist for a small business, NFIB, and a home health worker in Colorado. She ended her career working with Bethany Homes where she cared for others in Assisted Living. Lorna was raised by God-fearing, God-loving Baptist parents. As an adult, she attended confirmation at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Moorhead and was baptized alongside her children. As a family, they attended Salem Lutheran Church where she played the piano and organ and was a member of the Ladies Aid. Lorna was also a 4-H leader and an avid bowler. She kept records at her children’s horse shows and loved to play cards with friends and family. Lorna enjoyed music and was a non-stop reader of magazines, newspapers, and novels. Most of all, she enjoyed visiting and talking with people. Above all else, Lorna valued family. The interests of her children were of greatest importance to her. She aimed to attend every concert and school program possible. She always stressed the importance of family and friendship. She allowed plenty of sleepovers and loved bringing them and their friends on trips and to movies, etc. She even became a foster parent to one of their friends. She taught them to sew, bake, cook, clean, and she passed along her ‘green thumb’ to each of them. She enforced rules but was gracious and lenient as well. She offered excellent advice, but only when asked. Lorna is a true matriarch that leaves a legacy of love and family. She will be missed dearly by so many! She is survived by her Children/Stepchildren: Debra (Jim) McCullough, Kathi (Dan) Trottier, Gayle (Rick) Cutler, and Pamela (Rick) Lewis, foster daughter Suzanne (Frank) Marsh, Ken Johnson Jr., and Mitch (Dawn) Johnson, daughter-in-law Leslie (Boyd) Holen. Grandchildren: Shanda (Denny) Gustafson, Robin (Ted) Bailey, Tracy (Jeremy) Tjon, Travis (Kyann) Lewis, Mandi (Nick) Ludowese, Nichole Shell, Erin Moody, Seth Jacob, Kathy Jacob, Joe (Carrie) Johnson, Scott Johnson, Angie Johnson, Emily Johnson, James (Jaime) McCullough, Sarah (Bert) Parham, and Rachel (Nate) Reed. Siblings: Gerda Bliss, Marvin Goplen, Milton (Virginia) Goplen, Lynda Petrie. Sister-in-law: Ellie Goplen. She also has 28 great grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, other family, and many friends. She was preceded in death by her parents Ben and Frances Goplen, former husband and father of her children, Harold Jordahl, her spouse Kenneth Johnson, Sr., her son Rock Jordahl, step-daughter Mary Beth Johnson, brother Jerry Goplen, brothers-in-law Willard Petrie, Gordon Denelsbeck, and Gilbert Bliss, sister-in-law Maryann Goplen, and nieces, Louisa (John) Fure, Leslie (Keith) Koester, Gretchen Poppin, Patty Denelsbeck, and Sally Vogt. In lieu of gifts or flowers, the family prefers memorials to Ethos Hospice and/or Bethany Homes in response to the genuine, compassionate, and loving care provided by the staff.