Helen Johnson's Obituary

Helen Catherine (Taugner) Johnson was born November 24, 1926, in St Paul, Minnesota to the late Anna Marie (Leritz) Taugner and Michael Edward Taugner Sr. She departed this life on April 22, 2017 from Our Lady of Peace with family at her side. She was preceded in death by her Husband: Richard (Dick) Johnson, Siblings: Michael Edward Taugner Jr of Maplewood, Anna (Taugner) Stedt of San Bernardino, California and Nephew, Joseph D Stedt from Colorado.

At a very early age, Helen spent her summers honing her communication and hospitality skills by fishing, hunting, vacationing and working at her Grandparents resort on Lake Pokagama in Pine City, Minnesota. Little did she know that her experience working at the restaurant and Inn would provide her with a very valuable life lesson that would prepare her for what lay ahead .

She married Dick Johnson on January 18, 1947 and they welcomed their first and only child, Marsha, on Sept 1, 1948. They rented a duplex on Thomas Ave and Victoria St. in the Frogtown area of St Paul, where they settled into their post WWII jobs….. Helen at Brown and Bigelow and Dick at the St Paul Union depot. They purchased their first cabin on Lake Waukenmabo, just north of Aitkin Minnesota, with Ray and Kay Berbee where they all enjoyed fishing, hunting and entertaining family and friends. In the years to follow, Helen and Dick built a new cabin on the same lake, raised their daughter to adulthood and in due time, ventured out to new and more challenging recreational locations. In 1969, they made the life changing decision to quit their long time financially secure jobs and embark on a new career. After much thought (and some skepticism along the way) they sold everything and dumped their life savings into the purchase of a resort in Canada. Their Purchase of Pine Beach Lodge, proved to be one of the most incredible and fulfilling decisions of their lives. They embarked on their quest with great enthusiasm and in no time had transformed a relatively worn down resort into a completely modern facility. They always treated their guests as their extended family providing them with a "home away from home" atmosphere where fresh coffee was brewed and waiting at 4am every morning. Helen was a terrific cook and her sweet rolls, brownies and home baked cookies were always available to all. The lodge door was always open and everyone in camp was highly encouraged to stop by at any time to share fish stories and to enjoy the candy and cookies from the jar and Tupperware lovingly placed in the middle of the kitchen table. Sadly, Dick suffered a stroke on May 1, 1984 and had to leave the family. Through sheer determination and the help of her extended PBL family and later in life her grandchildren Rick and Allie Fuerst, Helen continued to successfully run a thriving business and continued to inspire and amaze her Pine Beach Lodge family guests for a total of 48 years.

Helen was a woman of great integrity and determination who loved life and lived it to its fullest! She worked hard, partied hard, gambled some, drank some and loved much! She traveled with family and friends extensively and absolutely adored her great grandchildren. Words cannot express what a loving and giving mother, grandmother, aunt, cousin and friend she was. We were all blessed through the years to have her as a role model with her unconditional love and support. Even though she will be missed by everyone, she is leaving us with a lifetime of good times and wonderful memories that will live on in our hearts for generations to come!

In her words..." I did everything I wanted to in my lifetime. At 90 years old, I had a good run, I'm ready to go"

She leaves these incredible memories to her Daughter: Marsha (Raymond) Fuerst of Maplewood, Grandson's: Richard (Allie Testa) Fuerst of West Lakeland and Douglas (Sarah) Fuerst of Maplewood, Two wonderful Great-grandchildren: Rae and Brayden Fuerst, Brother: Edward M Leritz of Bozeman, Colorado, Sister in Law: Shirley Taugner of White Bear Lake, Nephews: Jim (Maggie) Stedt and Jayme Stedt of California, Mike (Lynette) Taugner and family of Lino Lakes, Niece: Lynn Taugner of South Carolina and her extended family of cousins, friends and guests from Minnesota, around the country and around the world.

Please join us as we

Celebrate the life of

Helen C Johnson

Friday the 12 ^th of May, 2017

The Withrow Ballroom

12169 Keystone Ave N

Hugo, MN

Gathering of friends

12:00 Noon

Memorial service

12:30pm

1:30pm

Luncheon

1:30pm

4:30pm

Please let us know if you are coming by txt or phone to 651-206-4685 (please leave name and #attending) or email at mfuerst634@aol.com rsvp before May 8 ^th .

We ask (and encourage you) to sign the guest book below and to use this site to share your favorite story, tell a tale that Helen shared with you, or just send a note to the family…We will use these memories to compile a lasting memorial in her honor!

All Memorials will be used to

Set up a scholarship fund in the name of

Helen C Johnson

Please make donation checks out to:
Helen C Johnson

Please mail donation checks to:
Helen Johnson
4433 Park Court
White Bear Lake MN 55110

To send flowers with our preferred florist or plant a memorial tree, please visit our flower store.

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IN LOVING MEMORY OF Helen Johnson

Helen Johnson's Obituary

Funeral Services for Helen Johnson

Family and Friend Gathering

Service

Luncheon

Helen Johnson's Guestbook