Margaret "Mike" O. Johnson

Margaret "Mike" O. Johnson, 96, of Newman Grove, NE, passed away Wednesday, September 3, 2025, at Mid Nebraska Lutheran Home, Newman Grove, NE.

Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m., Monday, September 8, 2025, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Newman Grove, NE with Pastor Claire Meyer officiating. Burial will be at Trinity West Cemetery, rural Newman Grove, NE. Visitation will be Sunday from 3:00-5:00 p.m. at the church.

Click to watch a livestream of Margaret Johnson's funeral service

Levander Funeral Home of Newman Grove, NE is in charge of the arrangements.

Margaret Ovedia Johnson, daughter of Emil J. and Olga M. (Amundson) Stenseth was born July 5, 1929, in rural Glenville, MN. She attended Albert Lea High School in Minnesota and graduated with the class of 1947. Following high school, Margaret worked at a clothing store.

On December 22, 1949, Margaret married the love of her life, Harris C. Johnson at Round Prairie Lutheran Church in rural Albert Lea, MN. From this union, she was blessed with five sons. In 1958, they moved to Nebraska. There Margaret worked at the City Café, Creamery as a lab technician, waitressed at the Hombre Steakhouse, and was a cook at Mid-Nebraska Lutheran Home for 25 years.

Margaret learned to do many things at a young age due to her father passing away when she was 11 months old, as soon as she could learn she was contributing and helping. She was an expert seamstress and sewed most of her clothes. She also was a master canner, gardener, and of course an amazing cook.  Margaret was also on a bowling league for years.

She is survived by three sons: Scott Johnson of St. Edward, NE; Randy (Nancy) Johnson of Columbus, NE; David (Connie) Johnson of Newman Grove, NE; grandchildren: Adam (Erica) Johnson; Mitchell (Melissa) Johnson; Jennifer (Dr. Tate) Vanicek; Dr. Jill (Andrius) Knasas; Lynn Benzing; Chase (Pascal) Johnson; Amber (Gabe) Hammer; great-grandchildren: Karsyn, Aubrey, and Ivy Johnson; Mikiah Johnson; Brynley Bottorf; Madison and Kalen Vanicek; Addison and Peighton Gilmour; Skylar, Tinley and Quinn Hammer; Aleksandras Knasas; Archie and Allie Johnson; two sisters-in-law: Connie (Paul) Hogan of Northwood, IA, Shirley Stenseth of Alberta Lea, MN; along with many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

She was proceeded in death by her parents; husband: Harris Johnson; sons: Kevin and Mark Johnson; siblings: Stella, Ervin, Orville, George, James, Phillip, and Emil; and sister-in-law: Myrna Nelson.