Ruth Mary Johnson

Ruth was a delightful lady, she made every moment spent with her a treasure and we appreciated her
every day of her life. Ruth Mary Johnson, 95, of Duluth passed away on March 9, 2022, at Solvay
Hospice House after five years at Primrose. She was born in Alma City, MN to Carl and Lillian Pagenkopf
on December 27, 1926.

She went to High School in Wells, MN and graduated in 1944. She went to Duluth Business College and
worked as a secretary for Marshall Wells, Western Electric, and the Minnesota Air National Guard
before children, and as a legal secretary in later years.

Ruth was a member of Salem Lutheran Church in Hermantown and was a Youth Group Leader. She
loved her seven grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren and attending their activities. After
retirement, her favorite pastime was traveling the nation with her husband Warren in their motorhome.
They spent their winters in Mesa, Arizona for many years.

Ruth will be remembered for her loving kindness toward others, her infectious smile, and the ability to
make everyone around her feel special. She will be sadly missed by all who knew her.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Warren, her parents, brothers Marvin, Harold, and Donald Pagenkopf, and sister Harriet Swartz.
She will be greatly missed by her daughters Sheri (Keith) Mesedahl, Debi (Rick) Francisco, and Pam (Jim)
Kwak; grandchildren Dan (Christa) Mesedahl, Bob (Katie) Mesedahl, Tami (Matt) Vukonich, Missy (Jason)
Carlson, Jon (Bridget) Francisco, James (Jessica) Kwak, and Kris (Anna) Kwak; Great Grandchildren, Halle,
Caleb, Wyatt, Natalie, AJ, Lydia, Jack, George, Owen, James, Avery and Kane; her sister Jean (Jack)
Knutson, several nieces and nephews; and special friends Mary Larson and Grace Nesgoda.
The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the loving people at Primrose where she lived for the last
five years; and the tender, caring individuals at Solvay Hospice.

There was a private family service. A memorial gathering will be held in Duluth during the summer.
Interment is at Sunrise Cemetery, Hermantown.

In lieu of flowers or trees, the family requests you send donations to Solvay Hospice House in Duluth.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Ruth Mary Johnson, please visit our floral store.