Charlotte M. Johnson

Charlotte M. Johnson, age 91 and a half, of Alexandria formerly of Fergus Falls, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at Salmons Place Senior Care, Alexandria.

A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m., Tuesday, September 23, 2025, at Lind Family Funeral Home in Alexandria with Pastor Darryl Knappen. Interment will take place at 11 a.m., Wednesday, September 24th, at New Woodlawn Cemetery, Pipestone.

Visitation is one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

Charlotte Marie was born on February 16, 1934, to Ole and Viola (Renken) Nelson in Flasher, North Dakota. She was the oldest of seven children and grew up during the Great Depression. The family later moved to Pipestone, Minnesota, where her father farmed. As the eldest, she was considered a second mom to her siblings—something she carried with her throughout her life. Charlotte attended a one-room country school before graduating from high school in Verdi in 1952. After school, she left the farmstead in search of work. She noticed a “help wanted” sign at a local bakery, applied, and was hired on the spot. This began her lifelong career as a cake decorator. During that time, she shared a home with girlfriends from church, and it was through them that she met her future husband. On August 11, 1954, she married Junior Nels Johnson. The couple welcomed their daughter, Robin, and built a home in Pipestone where they raised their family. Charlotte’s career at Pan-A-Gold Bakery and grocery stores in Pipestone and Fergus Falls spanned her entire working life. Her artistic talent in cake decorating drew many admirers, and for a time, she also taught classes at a vocational school. Beyond work, she and Junior enjoyed fishing and often shared that pastime with nieces and nephews. Following Junior’s retirement, Charlotte and Junior moved to Fergus Falls to be closer to their one and only granddaughter, Chelzee. After Junior’s passing, Charlotte remained independent and later found companionship with Arnie Henderson. Aside from her many talents, her favorite hobby was gardening, where she truly embodied a “green thumb.” Charlotte loved to volunteer for Relay For Life and doing bible study at the Grace Methodist Church in Fergus Falls. Above all, Charlotte was a faith-filled, kind, gentle, and strong woman devoted to her daughter and family, loving and supporting them in ways only a mother could.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Junior Nelson on December 14, 1991; and siblings, Norman Nelson, Ronald Nelson, Alice Claussen, Ole Nelson Jr., and Beverly Mitchell.

Charlotte is survived by her daughter, Robin (Dan) Thompson of Alexandria; granddaughter Chelzee (Fiancé, Bob Meck) Lemm-Thompson of North Saint Paul; sister, Laurenda Frakes of Crystal; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

A very special “thank you” to Salmons Place Senior Care for their kindness, care, and support to Charlotte and her family.