Arla Mae Johnson, 82, Mt. Vernon, died Tuesday, March 12, 2019, in Avera Queen of Peace Hospital.

Visitation with a prayer service was Sunday, March 17, at Will Funeral Chapel in Mitchell. The funeral was Monday, March 18, at Storla Lutheran Church. Burial was in Victor Cemetery near Mount Vernon. 

Arla was born July 12, 1936, in Sioux Falls to Peder and Clara Endahl and grew up on her parents’ farm in Jerauld County. She was baptized in 1936 and confirmed in the Lutheran faith.  Arla attended Jerauld County elementary schools and graduated from Lane High School. She graduated from Augustana College in June 1956 and was an elementary teacher in Tyndall.  

On March 22, 1958, Arla married Delbert Clayton Johnson at the Salem Lutheran Church in Mt. Vernon. They were members of the Victor Lutheran Church of rural Mount Vernon until it’s closure, and then they transferred their membership to Storla Lutheran Church in Aurora County. 

Arla had very fond memories of her trips to Norway with her cousin who was like a brother, Art Ovrelid of Sioux Falls, his wife, Marcy, and their wonderful daughters and grandchildren in the United States and the rest of the family in Norway. She was a member of the Mt. Vernon American Legion Auxiliary and enjoyed the regular Tuesday noon meals and fellowship at the Senior Center. She had recently become a Charter Member of the Mt. Vernon Area Historical Society.

She is survived by a daughter, Linda S. Miller, of Mt. Vernon; three grandchildren; two great-granddaughters, and other dear relatives. 

Arla was preceded in death by her husband, Delbert; her parents; uncles; aunts; and other relatives in America and Norway.