Naomi Johnshoy

Naomi Johnshoy, 98, of Crookston, MN, passed away Tuesday morning, March 20, 2018, in the Villa St. Vincent with family members at her side.

Naomi was born on April 7, 1919 in Thief River Falls, MN. Her parents, Rev. Albin and Olga (Longren) Larson, administered the North Star College in Warren, MN, where they also resided. Naomi completed her education there, and went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in education from Concordia College, Moorhead, MN, graduating in 1939.

Naomi married Rev. Edward Johnshoy in Salinas, Kansas on June 10, 1944. They were blessed with three children: Steve, Dan and Mary. While raising her family, Naomi began a teaching career that lasted 31 years. She never really stopped teaching, always stressing the use of good grammar; and remained active for many years after retirement as a substitute teacher for the Crookston school system, and as a foster grandparent. Ed and Naomi resided in Fargo and Bowman, in ND, Pasco, WA, and Nielsville, Bloomington, Crookston, Sebeka, and McIntosh, in MN, as Ed accepted calls to minister in parishes at those locations. Naomi served as organist for many of those churches and taught piano as well. The couple retired to Mentor, MN and later moved to Crookston. Ed passed away on April 29, 1996.

Naomi continued her life as a devoted member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, and the Afternoon Guild. She loved visiting with family and friends, attending concerts and benefits, playing the piano and organ, reading, needlework and crossword puzzles. In later years she played piano for services at the RiverView Nursing Home and for pleasure at Villa St. Vincent, where she would often be joined by residents singing along to her music. She will be very lovingly remembered and will be greatly missed by all who shared in her life.

Naomi is survived by her three children: Steve Johnshoy and his wife, Linda, of Moorhead, MN, Dan Johnshoy and his wife, Lori, and Mary Johnshoy, all of Crookston, MN; two grandchildren, Matthew Johnshoy of Washington, DC and Jennifer Johnshoy of Crookston. She also leaves her sister, Evodia Linner, Edina, MN; brothers-in-law, Ralph (LaVonne) Johnshoy, Sioux Falls, SD and Harold Aasland, Tucson, AZ; sisters-in-law, Velma Johnshoy, Minneapolis, MN and Judy Johnsen, Minneapolis, MN; and many nieces, nephews and other relatives. In addition to Ed, her beloved husband of 52 years, she was preceded in death by her parents, Albin and Olga Larson; sister, Florence (Ray) Sponberg; and brothers: Paul (Ardie), Evdorus , and Albin Larson.

The funeral service for Naomi Johnshoy will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, March 23, 2018, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Crookston with the Rev. Steve Bohler, officiating. Visitation will be at Our Savior’s from 1-2:00 p.m. Interment will take place at Riverside Cemetery, Moorhead, MN, in the spring. In lieu of flowers memorials may given in Naomi’s memory to Our Savior’s School, Villa St. Vincent, or a charity of choice

www.stenshoelhouske.com