Verna Johnson-Gawryluk

It is with great sadness that the family of Verna Johnson-Gawryluk announces her passing on Sunday February 7, 2016 at Rainycrest Long Term Care.

Verna was born on November 17, 1922 in Finland, ON to Victor and Hanna Blom. She grew up in Finland, educated at #13 School in Potts, Township. She met Taisto Johnson while working at a pulpwood camp near Thunder Bay and they were married on June 20, 1945. Together they raised a family and built a home at Off lake. They moved to Fort Frances in 1964 and she worked at the LaVerendrye Hospital for 22 years , retiring in 1986. Taisto passed away in 1982 and on September 2, 1989 she married Alex Gawryluk. She taught Scandinavian dancing and was a 4H leader in Finland. She was very active in the CUPE union at the Hospital. Verna loved to travel, knit and sew. Family was always her first priority and she opened her door to everyone.

She leaves behind her husband Alex Gawryluk; children Laura (David) McGill of Kelowna, BC and children Daniel, Raili, Kyla and Ethel McIvor; Linda (Peter) Ross of Edmonton and children Michael and Miranda; Harold Johnson of Fort Frances and children Kimberley and Diana; Raili (Howard) Dodd of Nestor Falls, Ontario and daughter Carrie-Ann; Myra (Dan) Mainville of Fort Frances and children Shane and Becky-Jo; Arnold (Kathy) Johnson of Fort Frances and children Jennifer, Jorma, Katie, Matthew and Cassandra; Harvey (Joan) Johnson of Edmonton, Ontario and children Anthony, Stephen, Jordana and Jason; granddaughters Shannon and Tammy; 23 great grandchildren; step children Bryan (Joclyn) Gawryluk, Noella Gawryluk, Diane (Ralph) 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, infant granddaughter Correen Marie Guimond.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, February 10, 2016 from 7 until 9 p.m. at Green Funeral Home in Fort Frances, ON

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, February 11, 2016 at 11 a.m. at Green Funeral Home in Fort Frances, ON 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 Avenue, Fort Frances, Ontario, P9A 2B9.

Online Condolences may be made to www.greenfuneralhomefortfrances.com.