Johnson, Lavone Irene (Abelson) passed away peacefully of natural causes at the age of 98 on Wednesday, March 13, 2024 at the home of her daughter and son-in-law, Marit and Rich Reese in Carefree, Arizona. Her daughter, Candy Sparks and son, Ted Johnson were also at her side. Lavone was born to Benjamin and Esther (Olstrom) Abelson, in Columbia Heights, Minnesota on February 8, 1926. She studied and became an accomplished pianist who graduated from Edison High School in northeast Minneapolis. Lavone and her late husband, Ted Johnson the well-known violinist and leader of the Midnight Sons Orchestra started their first music school teaching accordion in Brainerd, MN, played on the local radio station daily, and then established several music schools throughout Minnesota. The Ted Johnson Accordion Schools had several hundred students who performed in recitals, national competitions, and on the radio every Christmas bringing great joy to their communities. Lavone always enjoyed hearing from past students thanking her for bringing the love of music to their lives. In 1964, Ted and Lavone were hired to play their lively International music in the Minnesota Pavilion at the New York World's Fair. Following their appearance in New York, they continued to play in the Hippodrome every day of the Minnesota State Fair for 15 consecutive years! They were awarded a grant from the National Endowment For The Arts and also entertained for the Minnesota Park District Programs, Svenskarnas Dag, and many other events throughout the years. Marit and Candy joined the trio and it became a family affair. In the 1970s, Lavone started her career as an Administrative Director at the University of Minnesota working until 75 years of age in the School of Statistics in Vincent Hall. She was a lifelong learner studying business at St. Benedicts College and St. Cloud State, economics, management, and business law at Anoka Ramsey and Minneapolis Community Colleges, and majored in Scandinavian Languages and Finnish at the University of Minnesota. As Norman Cousins said, "Far more real than the ticking of time is the way we open up the minutes and invest them with meaning." Her extraordinary work ethic was legendary. Lavone continues to remind us that those with resolve don't give up, but are stimulated into action. She was dedicated to many causes and remains a remarkable inspiration and role model. In addition to her work and family, she had great interest in supporting and participating in the Swedish Community Vasa Lodges, the Fort Snelling Chapel, the Minnehaha Park neighborhood, and the St. Anthony Park community. She had a special interest in supporting scholarships for nursing students. She was active in her community and enjoyed her many friends and neighbors at 1666 Coffman University of Minnesota condominiums. Lavone is survived by her sister, Joyce Lawman, children Marit Reese (Rich), Candy Sparks (Brad), and Theodore Eugene "Ted" Johnson, daughter in law, Karon Hoecherl, 10 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ted Johnson, son, Jon Hoecherl, granddaughters, Jill Hoecherl and Shannon Reese, sister Elvera Lindvall, and parents Esther and Ben Abelson. Lavone was a devoted mother and grandmother. Mormor is in our hearts forever. If you would like to make a donation in honor of Lavone, please consider the Children's Airway First Foundation at childrensairwayfirst.org (childrensairwayfirst.org/) Family Service and Interment of Urn was at Lakewood Cemetery. Minneapolis, Minnesota Officiate: Reverend Ray Larson.

Published on June 16, 2024