Verena Johnson

Verena I. Johnson Ekberg, 79, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family at her home in Bismarck, June 7, 2025.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:00 PM, Saturday, June 14, at Spirit of Life, 801 1st St. SE, Mandan. Family will begin greeting guests one hour prior to the service. A livestream will be available on the church’s Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/spiritoflifecatholicchurch/

A Nurse Honor Guard Ceremony will be held at 12:30 PM  

Burial will be held at the Mott Cemetery, Mott, ND.

Verena was born February 12, 1946, in Mott, North Dakota, the first of eleven children, to Joseph and Vernie (Fries) Friedt. She graduated from Annunciation Priory school in Bismarck and then went on to get her nursing degree at Dickinson State University. There she met her husband, Joseph Johnson. and they were married in 1971 following her graduation. Verena and Joe moved to the Twin Cities where Verena worked at the St. Cloud VA, and shortly after had their first son, Joseph.

The family moved to Bismarck in 1972 where they welcomed three more children, Maria, Eric, and Kelly before moving to the Johnson Ranch in Baldwin, North Dakota in 1980. Verena was a treasured nurse at St. Alexius for almost 40 years, but truly never retired as her love and care for people shined through all the years of her life. She was awarded the Nightingale Award from St. Alexius for her dedicated service. Her beloved husband Joe passed away in 2003.

Verena married Bill Ekberg in 2010, and the couple moved to Bismarck. Bill later passed in 2016.

Verena had great love for her siblings and extended family and friends, and cherished any opportunity to host a party, especially at Thanksgiving. She was a shining light, who welcomed all, and shared a joy that will carry on forever. She loved her family, friends, and lived with an inspiring passion for life and the Lord.

Grateful to have shared her life are her four children: Joey Johnson of Baldwin, Maria Wanzek (Michael) of Bismarck, Eric Johnson (Sarah) of Bismarck, and Kelly Johnson (Brynn) of Baldwin; 11 grandchildren: Graycin, Lucas, and Joseph (Wanzek), Leif, Quinn, and Greta (Johnson), Ivy, Hannah, Tess, Aurora, and Nova (Johnson); 10 loving siblings and many extended family and friends.