Helen Marie (Koski) Johnson , age 95, of Bismarck, ND (former longtime resident of Tioga, ND), was called home to be with the Lord and Savior the evening of Easter Sunday April 5, 2026. She passed peacefully in her sleep surrounded by family at Missouri Slope Nursing Home in Bismarck, ND.

A funeral service will be held at 1 PM, on Saturday, April 11, in The Chapel at Missouri Slope, 4916 N. Washington, Bismarck, ND. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service.

Burial will be held at the Ahola Cemetery, Wing, ND.

Helen was born at home on the farm near Arena, ND on October 25,1930 to Victor and Marja (Kallio) Koski . She was baptized into Christ on November 17,1930. She was a faithful member of Zion Free Lutheran Church of Tioga for most of her adult life, often serving as a Sunday School teacher, Ladies Aid and on various other committees.

She initially went to country school and graduated from Wing High School in Wing, ND. She later graduated from Valley City Teachers College in the fall of 1948 with a Standard Teaching Degree. Helen taught elementary school for 7 ½ years and was a regular substitute teacher for another 5. She also met her husband Lavern Johnson while attending Valley City College. They were married Sept. 2, 1950 and lived in Valley City until he went into the service. She lived with her parents until his return and moved to Tioga in 1952. In 1958 they moved to Jamestown, ND for 9 years where Lavern was the State Electrical Inspector before returning to Tioga in 1967. Helen loved serving in the church and teaching little ones while also raising her four rambunctious children, Paul, Joel, Ronald, Linda and her beloved grandson Jason. She was a legendary baker specializing in cinnamon rolls, caramel rolls, lefsa and divinity. Helen also ran her little Christian bookstore out of the back bedroom of her home sharing the blessed hope of the resurrection.

She enjoyed reading scripture, playing with and reading to little children and driving to see beautiful sunsets in the countryside. Her final days were surrounded by family and celebrating Easter and waiting for the blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.

Helen is survived by two children: Joel & Bobi Johnson (Bloomfield, NM), Linda Johnson (Bismarck, ND), Daughter in law Terry Johnson (Bismarck, ND); 6 grandchildren: Joshua & Dallas Johnson (Florence, AZ), Lisa & Doyle Hodges (Phoenix, AZ), Christina & Benito Johnson (Albuquerque, NM), Jason & Tonia Johnson (Mandan, ND), Jennifer & Korey Fried (Bismarck, ND), Amanda & John Schnaidt (Gladstone, ND); 12 great grandchildren: Jaycee Johnson (Florence, AZ), Amberlyn Johnson (Florence, AZ), Joselyn Johnson (Florence, AZ), Hannah Hodges (Phoenix, AZ), Lucas Hodges (Ft. Campbell, KY), Ashley & Matthew Monzelowsky (Mesa, AZ), Devon & Morgan Johnson (Warner Robins, GA), Alexas Johnson (Mandan, ND), Tyler Fried (Bismarck, ND), Noah Fried (Bismarck, ND), McKenna & Mitchel Glasser (Mandan, ND), Piper Schnaidt (Gladstone, ND), and 4 great great grandchildren: Claire and Jamison Hodges (Phoenix, AZ), Ryker and Rhett Johnson (Warner Robins, GA); and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and so many dear friends who take solace in knowing she is now at peace in the arms of the Lord.

Helen was preceded in death by her former spouse Lavern F. Johnson; sons, Paul J. Johnson and Ronald D. Johnson, parents Victor and Marja (Kallio) Koski , and all of her siblings Arvo Koski, Vienno & John Emil Lehto, Martha & Steve Kytonen, Laurie & Edna Koski, William Koski, Elmer & Della Koski, Rauha & Marvin Schumaier.

The family will receive friends afterwards at Terrys home, 5709 Crested Butte Rd in Bismarck. The family would like to express our sincere thanks for the wonderful care given from Missouri Slope to Helen these last few years. If desired, we ask that memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association and Condolences may be sent to Jennifer Fried 1501 Alta Dr. Bismarck, ND 58503.