Eleanor Johnson

Eleanor Beulah Zurn was born September 17, 1916 to Andrew and Minnie Zurn on their family farm in Callaway, Minnesota. She passed away at the age of 100 on June 27, 2017 in Holland, MI.  Eleanor was the youngest of their four children.  Eleanor graduated from Detroit Lakes High School eighty four years ago at the age of 16.  Potentially, Eleanor was the last surviving member of the class of 1933. Eleanor married Eugene Godfrey Johnson (Gene) on June 28, 1939 in Detroit Lakes.  In the early years of their marriage they owned and operated two country stores, both called Four Corners.  Their only child, Terry, was born during this time.  As the World War II national defense effort heated up, they moved to Puyallup, Washington where Gene was employed in the shipyards working on aircraft carriers.  They lived in Puyallup for about five years before returning to Detroit Lakes, MN.  Upon returning to Detroit Lakes, Gene, who had been trained in carpentry, began working in home construction.  When the Woolworths store moved to Detroit Lakes around 1954, Eleanor was hired as one of the store’s original employees. Eleanor retired after about 25 years from Woolworths.  When Eleanor retired, Gene had already retired from carpentry. During their retirement years Eleanor and Gene enjoyed home projects, gardening, fishing and some travel until Gene passed away in 1985.  Eleanor continued her membership in Trinity Lutheran Church and the Eagles Aerie in Detroit Lakes.  Eleanor acquired a Yorkie dog named Spike who became her little buddy.  She eventually met Marvin Kullhem.  Eleanor and Marvin remained special friends throughout the years. In 2007, Eleanor moved from her home of sixty-five years on State Street in Detroit Lakes to be near Terry and Marilyn in Holland, MI.  Eleanor celebrated her 100th Birthday on September 17, 2016 with all the birthday trimmings.  Most important to Eleanor were the good wishes from friends and family.  Eleanor was very appreciative of those that attended her party and the many cards and letters she received. Eleanor was preceded in death by Gene, her husband of 46 years; her parents, Andrew and Minnie Zurn; three siblings, Harold, Virginia and Merlin. Eleanor is survived by her son Terry and his wife Marilyn of Holland, MI; sister-in-laws Charlene Johnson of Detroit Lakes and Georgene Johnson of Cambridge, MN as well as 33 nieces and nephews, all of whom were very dear and special to her. Services will be Friday July 7, 2017; 11:00 AM at West-Kjos Funeral Home in Detroit Lakes, MN with visitation one hour to services. Burial will be at Oak Grove Cemetery in Detroit Lakes.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Hospice of Holland, Holland, Michigan.