Karen Ann (Vigesaa) Johnson

About Karen

Karen Ann (Vigesaa) Johnson, 81, died on Tuesday, August 23, 2022 at Broen Nursing Home in Fergus Falls, Minnesota.

Karen was born June 28, 1941 to Trygve and Elsie (Bergstad) Vigesaa in Cooperstown, ND. She grew up on the family farm in Cooperstown. She attended Cooperstown Country School, and Cooperstown High School for one year, before attending and graduating from Hillcrest Lutheran Academy, Fergus Falls, MN.

After graduating from Hillcrest, she moved to Cedar Rapids, IA. She met her husband Gene at Hillcrest while he was there visiting his brother James Johnson who was enrolled at Lutheran Brethren Seminary. They married on September 10, 1960 and lived in Kenyon, MN, on the Johnson family farm. They spent the majority of their married life in Gonvick, MN.

Karen worked for many years at the Gonvick Veterinary Clinic, which she loved. Karen enjoyed gardening, both vegetables and flowers, and feeding her birds. Her favorite hobby was her love of books. Karen had an adventurous spirit and enjoyed traveling, especially her many winter getaways, driving solo in her blue S10 to New Mexico and Arizona.

Karen loved the Lord and followed his path. She and Gene attended and were members of Elim Lutheran Brethren Church, Clearbrook, MN.

She entered Broen Nursing Home, Fergus Falls in 2019.

Karen is survived by her daughter Debra Ann (Johnson) Hagen, Baxter, MN, Amy Jo Johnson, Minneapolis, MN. Granddaughters Amber (Hagen) (Chris) Thomas, Phoenix, AZ and Samantha (Sam) Johnson, Lake Andes, SD. Great-grandchildren Kody Mead, Park Rapids, MN and Josie B. and Luke Trygve Thomas, Phoenix, AZ. Three brothers, Loren (Nadine) Vigesaa, Dan (Connie) Vigesaa, and Steve (Teri) Vigesaa. One sister, Rebekah (Vigesaa) (Ron) Karkhoff. Much loved Brother-In-Law Dick Johnson and his wife, Carol. Sister-in-law Myrna Johnson. Special cousin Jeannie (Maury) Foss, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Gene Johnson, son Nate Johnson, granddaughter Amanda Grace Hagen, brother Harold Vigesaa, Niece Laura Vigesaa, and Nephew Seth Nelson.

Our special thank you to the kind nurses at Broen for their love and care over the past few years.

Special thanks to Nurse Tammy, Nurse Darcy, and Aid Rita who daily went above and beyond with their love, friendship and care for Karen.

memorial service

Services for Karen

September 1, 2022

Elim Lutheran Brethren Church 316 4th Ave, Clearbrook, MN 56634, USA

Visitation will be one hour prior at the church. Interment will be held at Elim Lutheran Cemetery in Clearbrook, Minnesota.

Funeral/Cremation Provider: Cease Family Funeral Home