Miriam E Johnston

Miriam Elouise Johnston, 83, of Red Wing, passed away on May 8, 2013. She was born on May 21,1929 to Emil and Edith (Swanson) Pearson. She was baptized and confirmed at the Vasa Lutheran Church. She attended school at Burnside Elementary School and graduated from Red Wing High School, class of 1947. Miriam attended Gustavus Adolphus College for one year, transferring to Miss Wood's School (Macalester College), graduating in elementary education in 1950. She obtained her master's degree in 1967. She taught at West Concord for four years. After her marriage to Philip Johnston on June 12, 1954 at the Vasa Lutheran Church, they made their home at Austin, MN, where she taught kindergarten and first grade. In 1969 they bought a farm in Featherstone Township and moved to the Red Wing area. Miriam taught school in Goodhue until her retirement in 1994. She was active in the Vasa Lutheran Church, teaching Sunday School and singing in the choir for many years. She was very active in the Vasa Historical Society and Museum. She enjoyed singing with the Red Wing Swedish Singers, playing piano, reading, working crossword puzzles and sharing her time with children.She was preceded in death by her parents. She was buried at the Vasa Church cemetery May 10.She is survived by bothers Emmett (Rosann) of Welch, Wesley (Rae) of Northfield, Merle (Rita) of Red Wing, Curtis (Glennis) of Rochester and by her brother-in-law, Frank Johnston (Connie) of New York state and sister-in-law, Doris Johnston of Wisconsin. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. Her husband passed away May 12, 2013.A joint memorial service for Miriam and Phillip Johnston is planned for 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 21, at the Assembly of God Church in Red Wing with pastors Johnson and Dobbins officiating. Burial was at the Vasa Lutheran Cemetery. Arrangements are by the Wise Funeral Home of Hastings. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in her name to the Vasa Museum.