Elaine A. 'Mike' Johnston

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Johnston, Elaine A. "Mike" Born on May 17, 1930 in Duluth, Minnesota to Richard and Hazel (Forness) Gjesdahl. She passed away on October 20, 2016 at Presbyterian Homes in Bloomington surrounded by family. Mike was raised in Duluth and graduated from Duluth Central High School. She worked as a bank teller before her marriage to Donald R. Johnston in September of 1951. Together they had four daughters and lived in Duluth, Minneapolis and Two Harbors before making their final move to Minneapolis in 1959; later moving to Edina in 1966 where Mike resided for nearly 50 years. Mike was a loyal friend to all who knew her. She delighted in entertaining her friends and family, always the consummate hostess. Making a difference in the lives of others was important to her. She and her sister, Jerrine, found great joy in volunteering their time to Courage Center, a nonprofit rehabilitation and resource center for people with physical disabilities. It was said that even in her later years Mike was an advocate for many whom she encountered; it was one of her many demonstrations of the kindness and generosity that was evident her entire life. Mike worked as a receptionist at Control Data/Ceridian until she retired in 2006. Friendly and outgoing, she enjoyed her work and interacting with the executive staff and visitors. There, she made several friends with whom she kept in touch until she passed away. She lived her life with a sense of humor, steadfast strength and faith. Being a mother to her four daughters was the greatest joy in her life, and she was able to spend special time with each of them in her final days; a blessing to all of them. Mike was predeceased by her parents, her sister and a grandchild, Andrew Hughes. She is survived by her four daughters, Cathy Johnston (Brian Drake) of Olympia, WA; Mary Jo Harloff (Gary) of Murrells Inlet, SC; Jean Hughes of London, UK; and Patty Hutchens (Jim) of Sandpoint, Idaho. She is also survived by nine grandsons, Alexander Drake; Brad, Steven and Scott Harloff; David, Daniel and Peter Hughes; and Kevin and Brett Hutchens; three great-grandchildren, Griffen, Rowan and Easton Harloff, as well as her steadfast friend, Donald B. Sharp, SJ, also survive her. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Angel Foundation, 1155 Centre Pointe Drive, Suite 7, Mendota Heights, MN 55120, a nonprofit organization providing emergency financial assistance to cancer patients and their families. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 am on Friday, November 4 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, 6820 St. Patrick's Lane, Edina. Viewing will be at 10 am prior to the Mass. Arrangements are under the direction of Washburn-McReavy. Washburn-McReavy.com Edina Chapel 952-920-3996

Published on October 30, 2016