Mrs. Chris Johnson Dies

Blairite Almost 40 Years Dad At 66; Lutheran Services Today

Mrs. Chris Johnson, 66, long a resident of Blair, died Tuesday afternoon after an illness of more than a quarter of a year. Her husband is a veteran employee of the Lutheran Publishing House.

Mrs. Johnson had been seriously ill in the early 20’s from the effects of sleeping sickness, and while she recovered sufficiently to take care of her household duties, she never enjoyed complete health. Her final illness began at Christmas time.

Funeral services are being held this (Thursday) afternoon at 2 o’clock at First Lutheran Church, the Rev. H. C. Jorgensen officiating. Burial will be in the Blair Cemetery, under direction of the Bendorf Funeral Home.

Mary Christena Eugenie Mortensen was born at Hjerring, Denmark, June 10,1883, and came to America with her parents when three years of age, settling in Omaha. There she was confirmed in Gethsemane Lutheran Church and on May 3,1907, was married to Chris Johnson. The couple lived at various times in Omaha, Norfolk and Blair, having resided in and near Blair for about 39 years.

Surviving Mrs. Johnson are her husband, Chris; two sons, Raymond, also a Publishing House employee, and Richard, who is a partner in operation of the Blue Goose Store. Other survivors include a sister, Mrs. Mabel Matsen of Omaha; and three brothers, Walter and Fred Mortensen of Omaha and Harry Mortensen, who lives in the Pacific northwest.

#2-Arlington Review Herald 6 April 1950

Mrs. Chris Johnson 67, Dies Tuesday

Mrs. Chris Johnson, christened Mary Christena Eugenie Mortensen, was born in Hjerring, Denmark, June 10 1883, and passed away at the home of her son, Raymond, in Blair, on April 4, 1950. She came with her parents to America at the at of three, the family settling in Omaha.

On May 3, 1907 she was united in marriage to Chris Johnson. The couple lived at various times in Omaha, Norfolk and Blair, having resided in Blair city and on a farm adjacent to the city for about 39 years.

In the early 20’s Mrs. Johnson became seriously ill with sleeping sickness, and was an invalid for ten years, but recovered sufficiently to take care of her household duties, even though she never enjoyed complete health. She became ill last Christmas, and her condition deteriorated rapidly since that time.

Mrs. Johnson was the mother of two sons, Raymond and Richard, of Blair. She is survived by these and their families, as well as by her husband, also three brothers, Walter and Fred Mortensen of Omaha and Harry Mortensen, who lives in the Pacific Northwest, and a sister, Mrs. Mabel Matsen in Omaha.

The funeral service will be held today (Thursday) in First Lutheran Church, with Reverend H. C. Jorgensen officiating, and the Bendorf Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. Burial will be made in Blair Cemetery.

#3-6 Apr., 1950 - The Enterprise - Mary Christena Eugenie (Mortensen) Johnson

RITES FOR MRS. CHRIS JOHNSON ARE TODAY

Long-Time Resident Of Blair In Ill Health Many Years

Services are being held this Thursday afternoon for Mrs. Johnson of North Third street who passed away at the home of her son, Raymond Johnson, Tuesday of this week. Mrs. Johnson was the wife of Chris Johnson, long-time pressman at the Lutheran Publishing house.

Mrs. Johnson was christened Mary Christena Eugenie Mortensen and was born in Hjorring, Denmark June 10, 1883.

She came with her parents to America at the age of three, the family settling in Omaha. There she was confirmed in Gethsemane Lutheran Church and on May 3, 1907 was united in marriage to Chris Johnson. The couple resided in Omaha, Norfolk and Blair. They have been residents in the city and on a farm adjacent to Blair for about 39 years.

In the early 20’s Mrs. Johnson became seriously ill of sleeping sickness and was an invalid for ten years, but recovered sufficiently to care for her household duties even though she never enjoyed complete health. She became more seriously ill the last Christmas and her condition has grown rapidly worse since that time.

Mrs. Johnson was the mother of two sons, Raymond and Richard, both of Blair. She is survived by these and their families as well as her husband and three brothers, Walter and Fred Mortensen of Omaha and Harry Mortensen who lives in the Pacific Northwest, and one sister, Mrs. Mabel Matsen of Omaha.

Funeral services are being held this afternoon in the First Lutheran Church with Rev. H. C. Jorgensen officiating. Arrangements are in charge of the Bendorf Funeral Home, and burial is being made in the Blair cemetery.

~~~ Obituary courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair Public Library at Blair, Nebraska.~~~