Lela Marie Johansen

Lela Marie (Nielson) Johansen, 81, Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, died September 12, 2014 at the Frazee Care Center. Lela was born on March 24, 1933 in Wayne County, Nebraska to Kresten K. and Lucille E. (Barnes) Nielsen. She attended elementary at Randolph, Nebraska and then moved to Norfolk, graduating from Norfolk High School. Lela married LaVerne Kleinsang in 1951 and worked in various states. In 1958, she moved to Alexandria, Minnesota where Lela worked at Carlson Dairy and The Bridge & Restaurant (Viking Motel). Lela then moved to Battle Lake and worked at Battle Lake Care Center. In 1970, she married Merrill Johansen and she farmed for twelve years, until retiring from farming in 1983. Lela then did childcare, telemarketing and worked at the Fergus Falls Hospital. She completely retired in 1999 and moved to the Park Manor Estates. Lela loved to give gifts and spend time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She will be greatly missed by all. Lela is survived by her son-in-law, Jay Hansen of rural Detroit Lakes, MN; grandchildren, Jayme (Jihiyun) Hansen and Jessica Yoon, great-grandchildren, Cameron, Kresten, Kylan and Coslynn Casey, Jayson and Nicole Hansen. Lela was preceded in death by her parents, daughter, Janice Hansen, brothers, Edward and Howard Nielsen.