Phoebe M. Johnson

Phoebe Marie Johnson, age 86, resident of rural Tolna, ND, died Tuesday, April 19, 2022 at CHI-St. Alexius Health in Devils Lake, ND.

Phoebe was born March 6, 1936, to Amos and Sarah (Munson) Koebnick.  She always told me to fast-forward from this point as nobody remembers this far back, nor really wants to hear about everything she did for the past 86 years.  Also, she said that if I wrote too much, she would be horribly embarrassed.

In 1970, Phoebe married Roger Johnson and moved to Tolna, ND.  In 1984, they adopted their daughter, Andrea.  They lived on the farm where Phoebe enjoyed the outdoors including her love of gardening, flowers, and sitting on the swing and enjoying the beauty of nature and watching the birds.  Phoebe also had a love of animals and the farmyard always had cats and dogs.

Phoebe loved people and being involved.  Her door was always open and the coffee pot always on.  She treasured her neighbors, Bible Study ladies, and enjoyed having a conversation with everyone she met.  She always had a smile and a hello.  She had so much fun with WELCA and the quilters and knowing that she had a great group of people who cared about her helped her to maintain her independence as long as she did.

Phoebe also loved life and learning as much as she could.  She was always watching the news, reading the paper, reading books, talking about current events, and had a knack for witty writing.  She was a wealth of knowledge about everything and offered great advice.  She aged with grace and beauty.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Roger Johnson; her parents, Amos and Sarah Koebnick; siblings, Michael Koebnick, Leora Ito, and Kathi Oxenreider; nephews, Dale Knapp, David Knapp, and Douglas Koebnick; and many cherished in-laws and friends.

She is survived by her daughter, Andrea Johnson; adored son-in-law, Jason Jenssen; sister-in-law, Sandra Schuman; grandchildren, Cadence, Addison, and Parker; nephews, Peter Hatori, Christopher Oxenreider, Alex Hatori, Andy Hatori, Evan Hosler, David DeSalvo, Gavin Martini, and Luca Martini; nieces, Kameo (Fernando) Calvario, Michelle (Nick) DeSalvo, Jody Kulas, Phoebe (Kevin Muehlbauer) Oxendreider, Christy Knapp, Elizabeth (Robert) Potter, Julia Oxendreider, Jessica (Tom) Martini, Maddie Knapp, Nicole DeSalvo, Amara Potter, and Elena Potter.  Also, her beloved Buddy.

I am getting to the point where she would be telling me to wrap this up, so I will end with she was all in all one-of-a-kind and an absolutely amazing person.  She will be very deeply missed by everyone whose face she brought a smile to.  If you are able to attend her celebration of life, please wear bright colors as she loved everything bright about life.

The Celebration of Life for Phoebe will be held at American Lutheran Church of Tolna, ND, on Wednesday, April 27, 2022 at 11:00 a.m.  The family will greet friends at the church on Wednesday beginning at 10:00 a.m.