Gladys M. Johnson

Gladys Mae Lillian Johnson, age 96, of Litchfield, Minnesota, passed away on March 8, 2026, at Meeker Manor in Litchfield.

Born on May 28, 1929, in Savage, Minnesota, to Christie and Martha (Hagemister) Ratzlaff, Gladys was baptized in Rosemount and graduated from Rosemount High School in 1947. She worked as a cashier at Griebie’s Grocery for three years before marrying C. Alvin Johnson on June 24, 1950, in Farmington. The couple lived in Farmington and briefly in Breckenridge before settling in Litchfield in 1953. As a farmer’s wife, Gladys also served as head cook at Bethany Nursing Home for eleven years. A lifelong member of First Lutheran Church in Litchfield, she remained active in her community through the Blood Mobile, the FHA Board, and as an election judge for Darwin Township. She found joy in watching the Minnesota Twins, gardening, taking walks, playing cards, baking, completing puzzles, cross-stitching, and attending her grandchildren’s activities.

Gladys is survived by her children, Dennis (Diane) Johnson of Litchfield, Donna (Chuck) Herdegen of Glencoe, and David (Tracy) Johnson of Litchfield; eleven grandchildren; nineteen great-grandchildren; her sister, Louise Wenzel of Jordan; and her sister-in-law, Bernet Ratzlaff. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband C. Alvin Johnson, a great-grandson Zackary Mlodzik, three brothers, and four sisters.