Bernadette Johnson

Bernadette Johnson of Montevideo died on Wednesday, June 5, 2024 at CCM Health at the age of 79.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00AM on Wednesday, June 19, 2024 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Montevideo.  Burial will be in the church cemetery following the Mass. Following the burial there will be a luncheon at St. Joseph Catholic Church.

Visitation with the family will be held from 5:00 to 7:00PM on Tuesday June 18, 2024 at Anderson-TeBeest Funeral Home in Montevideo with a time for sharing of memories at 6:30PM.  Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday.

Bernadette Johnson was born in Sleepy Eye, Minnesota on July 2, 1944 to Joseph and Victoria (Leonhard) Riederer.  She was baptized and confirmed at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Sleepy Eye.  Bernadette attended St. Mary’s Grade School and then St. Mary’s Catholic High School in Sleepy Eye.   Following high school Bernadette worked for Stark/Sleepy Eye Creamery.  She married James Johnson on October 3, 1964 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Sleepy Eye.  They had two children: Leo and Jan. The family lived in various communities including: New Ulm, Hanska, Dawson and finally moving to Montevideo in 1970.  Besides raising a family, Bernadette  worked in housekeeping for the Fiesta City Motel and then as a homemaker for the Chippewa County Montevideo Hospital home care program.

Bernadette was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Montevideo.  She enjoyed reading and word search books.  She followed all  Minnesota sports teams, especially the Twins and the Vikings.  One of her favorite things to do was to have coffee with her girlfriends.  Bernadette was an accomplished cook and baker.  The family will remember the huge meals she prepared with homemade bread and cinnamon rolls being two favorites.  Whenever someone would suggest eating out she would always say “What do you want?  I’ll make it.”  Bernadette will be remembered by her husband and children as a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who took care of everyone.

Bernadette is survived by her husband, James; her children: Leo (Jodi) Johnson, Pine City, MN, Jan (Bill) Morisette, Sartell, MN; grandchildren: Jennifer (fiancé Will Lenneman) Morisette, Angela Morisette, Greg (Bobbi) Lucivansky; great-grandchildren: William and Elliot Lucivansky; sister, Helen Fahey; and sister-in-law, JoAnn Reiderer as well as extended family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers: Charles (Margie) Riederer, Edward (Lucille) Riederer, John Riederer; sister: Rosemary Riederer; and brother-in-law, Sylvester Fahey.