Susan "Suzi" Johnson

Susan “Suzi” Johnson 66, of Ogema, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, April 6, 2020 at Essentia Health Hospital in Fargo, ND.

Susan “Suzi” Ann Mertens was born on June 4, 1953, in Detroit Lakes, MN, to Anthony and Beatrice (Dalve) Mertens.  Suzi graduated from Waubun High School with the class of 1971.

On July 6, 1973 she was united in marriage to Keith Johnson at St. Benedict’s Catholic Church in White Earth.  They made their home in Ogema, MN.  Suzi stayed home with the children until all were in school and then she attended M State Community and Technical College in Detroit Lakes, MN, graduating with a degree in Business.  Suzi worked at Gabor Trucking, then at the Becker County Human Services until her retirement in 2016.

Suzi was an active member along with her husband Keith at St. Benedict’s Catholic Church in White Earth, MN.  Suzi loved everything about life, especially her GRANDKIDS!  Besides the love for her family she had a love of nature, and spent countless hours feeding birds and chipmunks while enjoying a beer with Keith on the deck and entertaining anyone who happened to stop by.  Suzi enjoyed gardening, walking in her woods while building trails and playhouses with the grandkids.  She enjoyed fishing for Northerns, building fairy gardens, horseraces, listening to Elvis, quick trips to the casino, and her Old Mil, margaritas and wine.  Suzi will be greatly missed for her smile, kind words, positive attitude, warm embraces, selflessness and most of all we will miss hearing her say “Hey Kiddo”!

Suzi is survived by her husband  of 46 years, Keith; sons Trevor (Laurie) Johnson, Dominic (Tina) Johnson; daughter Angelia (Nathan) Pazdernik; 10 grandchildren Trenten, Logan, Jordan, Tanner, Taylor, Alexis, Lola, Eli, Stella, and Collin; brothers David (Gerry) Mertens, Paul (Sandra) Mertens, Dean (Shelly) Mertens, Anthony Jr (Rhoda) Mertens; sisters Karen (Michael) Splonskowski, Betty(Gene) Barnes, and Della(Scott) Abrams; several nieces, nephews and countless cousins.

Preceding Suzi in death are her parents Anthony and Beatrice; brothers Steven, Mark, Jimmy, and Danny Jo; nephew DJ Mertens.