Ethel L. Johnson

Johnson, Ethel L. (Bartel)

Ethel Johnson, age 90, of Brooklyn Center, MN, passed away September 17, 2026. She was preceded in death by husband Don, her parents, sister Corrine Hendrikson and brother Ted Bartel.

Ethel was born on September 15, 1936, in Raymond, MN, the daughter of Theodore and Hertha (Haase) Bartel, and baptized on October 4, 1936. She was confirmed in 1950 at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Willmar, MN, and graduated from Willmar High School in 1954. She met her future husband, Don “Donie” Johnson, when they both worked at Piggly Wiggly in Willmar and, in June 1960, they were united in marriage. They settled in Brooklyn Center, MN, after briefly living in Austin, MN and Minneapolis, MN.

Once their three children were in school, she started working in food service for the Brooklyn Center elementary school, retiring in 1992. She was a longtime member of The Lutheran Church of the Triune God in Brooklyn Center, MN, active in various circles and committees. She was also a big sports fan, most notably of the Minnesota Twins, Timberwolves, Vikings, and Gopher men’s basketball, usually filling her role as armchair coach. She will be remembered as a wonderful wife, mom, grandma and, as the kids fondly called her, “grandma great,” who was always baking tasty treats for the family and others.

Ethel is survived by son, Tom (Carrie); daughters: Pam (Mike Stachowski) and Patti (Paul Koch); grandson Zach (Samantha); three great grandchildren: Ryley, Bailey, and Finley; and brother, Elloyd (Janice) Bartel; extended family and friends.

The funeral service will be held at 11 am on Friday, September 25, 2026, at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Spring Lake Park, MN. Visitation is one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at Granite Falls City Cemetery, Granite Falls, MN.