Glenice Johnson, 83

Glenice Johnson, 83, of Thief River Falls passed away on Tuesday, November 3, 2026 at Oakland Park in Thief River Falls, MN surrounded by her loving family.

Glenice Vernae was born December 21, 1942 to Gordon and Gladys (Palm) Rugland in Roseau, MN, the eldest of eight children. She attended the Roseau Public School and graduated in 1960. As part of a large farm family, she gained many skills in gardening, milking and showing dairy cattle, cooking, canning, baking, sewing, and taking care of younger children. She was active in 4-H, and won many trips to the MN State Fair, an interest that she carried throughout her life – including State Fair employee, county and state fair judge, 4-H parent and leader, engaging in state and international 4-H exchange programs, and as a professional with Extension Service. She received the Minnesota 4-H Alumni award in 1993.

Glenice earned a degree in Home Economics Education from the University of Minnesota in 1963, a Masters in Human Development from Univ. of Maryland in 1969, and a Masters in Gerontology from Univ. of No. Colorado in 1986. She was proud to have received scholarships and fellowships that covered all of her education. While at the U of MN, she was a member of Beta of Clovia sorority, and continued active alumni participation throughout her life, holding various alumni officer positions.

Her professional career began as a Home Agent in Kittson Co, MN, leaving there to live in rural India for 6 months as an IFYE delegate. She was Home Agent in Pennington Co, MN, before spending a year in Washington, DC as a National 4-H Fellow. This led to work as a 4-H Agent in Ocean Co., NJ, where she met 4-H leader, Loren “John” Johnson. They were married July 13, 1970, in Roseau, MN, and together with his daughter, Anna, operated John’s Greenhouses. After a commercial florist course, Glenice opened The Flower Pot flower shop there, operating it for 5 years. Three children were born to this union, Krista, Lars and Karla.

Glenice returned to Minnesota, teaching at the University of Minnesota, Crookston for 22 years. In addition to teaching, she served on many committees, advised students, worked with student clubs and organizations as faculty advisor, and with UMC Faculty Women fundraisers. She was selected by the students as Teacher of the Year in 1982 and recognized as the Distinguished Faculty Member in 1996. She returned to U of M Extension as Extension Educator in Pennington Co. in 1997, then as a Regional Extension Educator, retiring in 2008, continuing to teach workshops and seminars for several years. Glenice received a National Extension Award in Family Resource Management.

Her children were the most important part of her life, and they enjoyed camping at Maple Lake, cross-country vacation trips, spending a year in Colorado in student family housing, 4-H and church activities, following sports and music events, and many Rugland family celebrations in Roseau. Hosting foreign exchange students from Norway, Finland, Australia, Brazil, and Japan created life-long links. Glenice loved her grandchildren, Colton, Brynna and Lauren, attending their school and church programs, sewing Easter dresses and pajamas, taking them on long-distance trips, playing dominos or card games, baking cookies, and lots of baby-sitting.

Glenice was very active in community and regional groups and events, frequently as an officer. Among these are AAUW, Delta Kappa Gamma, Sons of Norway, Friends of the Library, Sanford TRF Auxiliary, District and state hospital auxiliary boards, local and regional library boards, NCTC advisory board, TRF Quilters Guild, Bone Builders, and Violence Intervention Project. She was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Crookston and Zion Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls, teaching Sunday School and VBS, singing in musical groups, quilting, ushering, and church council. She was selected as Pennington Co. Outstanding Senior Citizen in 2014, and enjoyed quilting, sewing, flower gardening, reading, crossword puzzles, travel, visiting 46 states, and 14 foreign countries. For the past 30 years, Glenice was often known as “Lena” – doing stand-up comedy for groups, reunions, county fairs, and conferences all over Minnesota, neighboring states, and in Canada.

Glenice is survived by her children, Krista Johnson, TRF, Lars Johnson, Crookston, and Karla Haller, Fargo, ND; grandchildren, Lauren Johnson, Colton (Ashley) Haller, and Brynna Haller. Siblings Laurita (Andre) Tardiff, Dryden, Ontario, Canada, Glaydon Rugland, Roseau, MN, Larry Rugland, Menomonie, WI, Angela Collins, Nichols, SC, David (April) Rugland, Roseau, MN, Darlene Kohlman, Union Grove, WI, and Loralee (Bob) Marvin, Warroad, MN, and two aunts, many cousins, nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Gordon and Gladys; maternal and paternal grandparents; aunts uncles, and cousins; sisters-in-law, Francha Rugland and Kathi Rugland; brothers-in-law, James Kohlman and Glenn Collins; nephew, Paul Collins; niece, Brynne Campbell.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 – 7:00 PM with a prayer service at 7:00 PM on Thursday, November 19, 2026 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN. Visitation will also be held one hour prior to the service on Friday.

Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, November 20, 2026 at Zion Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls, MN with Reverend Kristin Ostercamp officiating. Burial will be held at Rose Lutheran Church Cemetery, rural Roseau, MN.

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