Betty Jane Johnson

Betty Jane Erdman was born on June 17, 1939, to Arnold and Mary (Kmetz) Erdman in rural Barnesville, MN. She grew up on a farm where she helped with the chores and milking the cows. She attended school in Barnesville. As she was walking down the streets of Barnesville one day, she met Johnny E. Johnson, and they were married on March 24, 1956, at St. John's Lutheran Church in Barnesville. They made their home in Barnesville.

Betty worked in a few places throughout her life, including Dave and Ted’s Supermarket, Red Owl, Lee’s Super Valu, Barnesville Care Center, the Potato Flake Factory, and West Central Turkey. Betty and Johnny kept up beautiful flower gardens throughout their yard. Together they enjoyed playing cards, taking trips to the casino, and being the Grandma taxi for her grandchildren. In her younger years, Betty was quite the athlete and enjoyed playing softball on the Barnesville Better ‘N Nothing Softball Team. She also enjoyed golfing and bowling. She will be remembered for her kind demeanor and always stayed positive. She was a good listener, gave thoughtful advice, and was the glue to hold the family together. She enjoyed her time and fellowship with the coffee club girls.

She is survived by three sons: James Johnson, LeRoy (Karen) Johnson, Jerry (Sandie) Johnson, all of Barnesville, MN, grandchildren: Briana (Seth Hastings-Geiger) Johnson, Levi (Trinity Wick) Foss, Carrie Johnson, Blaine (Lindsey Miller) Johnson, and Jessica (Casimer Schlosser) Johnson; great grandchildren: Colter Foss, Karly Larson and Chloe Miller; and sister in law Clarice Schmidt.

She was preceded in death by her husband Johnny in 2015, her parents Mary in 1997, and Arnold in 1998, Richard, Virgil, Robert (Sadie) Erdman, Richard (Shirley) Lohse, infant brother James; in laws Harold and Inze Horgan, Ed and Doris Labish, Dorothy Norback, and Rodney Schmidt.

Betty Johnson, age 87, of Barnesville, MN, died on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, at ValleyCare and Rehab in Barnesville, MN.

Visitation will be from 5-7 PM, Friday, August 14, 2026, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Barnesville and will continue Saturday from 10-11 am.

Funeral services will be 11:00 AM, Saturday, August 15, 2026, at St. Johns Lutheran Church in Barnesville, MN with Rev. Greg DeMuth officiating. Burial will follow in Rosemound Cemetery, Barnesville, MN. 

Please share online memories and condolences at www.KorsmoFuneralService.com