Ellen Johnson

Ellen Louise (Hixson) Johnson, 89, of Cornelius, NC passed away on January 9, 2025.

Ellen was born in Minneapolis, MN on May 18, 1935 to the late James Everett Hixson and Edith Beatrice (Jaeger) Hixson. Along with her parents, she is preceeded in death by her husband, Donald James Johnson, her sister, Carol Anne Baune and Carol’s son Daniel Baune. She is survived by her three daughters, Lisa Louise Brennan, Amy Beth Johnson, and Ruth Ellen Martinsen and Ruth’s husband Bob, and her son, Wesley Everett Johnson, her sister Della Jane Jenkins and her husband, David, and her brother James Everett Hixson, II, and his wife Bettina. She also leaves behind nine nephews, one niece, four grandchildren, one great grandchild, and another on the way.

Ellen grew up Columbia Heights, MN and spent many summers on the family farm just outside of town. She graduated with salutatorian honors from high school, and a bachelor’s degree in journalism from University of MN. She married Donald on November 21, 1956 and moved with him to Minot, ND for his job, where they also began their family. Don’s job next took them to Bismark, ND, then Omaha, NB, and for a while to Madison WI, where the youngest, a son, was born. The family later moved to Houston, TX and finally to Olney, MD for a time. The couple then retired to Charlotte, NC where Don lost his battle with cancer, and passed away. After selling her home, Ellen spent the next 18 years living and spending time with each of her children, initially in Charlotte NC, then later in Weeki Wachi, FL, and finally here in Cornelius, NC.

Many remember Ellen as a soft spoken, and friendly person, a supportive wife, and a loving daughter, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother and sister. She found joy singing in the church choir at Park Street UMC, and in the last two years, attending Mt. Zion United Methodist Church in Cornelius, NC. She modeled kindness, strength of faith, a sense of humor, self-care, and aging with grace. Ellen was actively involved with the Women’s Health Initiative, participating in many studies over the years to promote better research for women’s health. Her last years were spent living with Alzheimer’s, under the care of her children and finally with assistance from the Hospice services. It is with this in mind, that the family wishes all memorial donations be directed to any of the following: 

Alzheimer’s Foundation
Women’s Health Initiative
Hospice and Palliative Care Charlotte Region

A Memorial Service will be held in Deerwood, MN in July 2025 with family members. 

Many thanks to the staff at Centerwell Home Healthcare, Gracious Living ADHCC, Via Hospice, and Raymer-Kempner Funeral Home, as well as Bria Blair and Rhonda Lowe for their assistance and support in the care of Ellen. She will be missed by all!