It is with great sadness that the family of Verna Johnson-Gawryluk announces her passing on Sunday, Feb. 7, 2016 at Rainycrest Long-Term Care in Fort Frances, Ont.
Verna was born on Nov. 17, 1922 in Finland, Ont. to Victor and Hanna Blom. She grew up in Finland and educated at #13 School in Potts Township.
She met Taisto Johnson while working at a pulpwood camp near Thunder Bay, Ont. and they were married on June 20, 1945. Together they raised a family and built a home at Off Lake, Ont.
They moved to Fort Frances in 1964, where Verna worked at La Verendrye Hospital for 22 years, retiring in 1986.
Taisto passed away in 1982 and on Sept. 2, 1989, Verna married Alex Gawryluk.
She taught Scandinavian dancing and was a 4-H leader in Finland. She was very active in the CUPE union at the hospital. Verna also loved to travel, knit, and sew.
Family always was her first priority and she opened her door to everyone.
Verna leaves behind her husband, Alex Gawryluk; children, Laura (David) McGill of Kelowna, B.C. and children, Daniel, Raili, Kyla, and Ethel McIvor; Linda (Peter) Ross of Edmonton, Alta. and children, Michael and Miranda; Harold Johnson of Fort Frances, Ont. and children, Kimberley and Diana; Raili (Howard) Dodd of Nestor Falls, Ont. and daughter, Carrie-Ann; Myra (Dan) Mainville of Fort Frances, Ont. and children, Shane and Becky-Jo; Arnold (Kathy) Johnson of Fort Frances, Ont., and children, Jennifer, Jorma, Katie, Matthew and Cassandra; and Harvey (Joan) Johnson of Edmonton, Alta. and children, Anthony, Stephen, Jordana and Jason.
She also is survived by granddaughters, Shannon and Tammy; 23 great-grandchildren; stepchildren, Bryan (Joclyn) Gawryluk, Noella Gawryluk, Diane (Rolf) Geissler, and Marcella (Brian) Gawryluk and their families; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Verna was predeceased by her parents; first husband, Taisto; stepson, Gerald Gawryluk; sisters, Milja Kangas, Rachel Gallinger, and Inkeri Galbraith; son, Wayne Johnson; and infant granddaughter, Correen Marie Guimond.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2016 from 7-9 p.m. at Green Funeral Home in Fort Frances.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, Feb. 11, 2016 at 11 a.m. at Green Funeral Home in Fort Frances, with Pastor Diane Clifford officiating.
Interment will take place in the Finland Cemetery.
The honourary pallbearers will be her grandchildren.
If friends so desire, in memoriam donations may be made to Families for Families c/o St. Mary’s Church, 209 Victoria Ave., Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 2B9.
Online condolences may be offered at www.greenfuneralhomefortfrances.com
VERNA JOHNSON-GAWRYLUK
