Arvis Johnson

October 8, 2017

Memorials are preferred to the Granite Falls Health Care Center, the Granite Falls Area Community Foundation, Alzheimer’s or Cancer Foundations. Arvis was born November 19, 1920 in Forest City, Iowa, the daughter of Esther (Shimer) Hallett and Lyle G. Hallett. They moved to their farm in Braham in 1929 where Arvis graduated from high school in 1938. She married LeRoy Hanson in 1940. They were blessed with three children, Patricia, Lee Ann and Dennis. They moved to Granite Falls in 1945 where Lee was in an automobile partnership; Arvis owned and operated the Chick-Inn Drive-In & Cafe in Granite Falls. She later graduated from cosmetology school and worked at beauty shops in Granite Falls, Canby and in Minneapolis where she owned her own shop. She married Morse Johnson in 1972 and they retired in Granite Falls in 1976. Arvis was an active member of the Granite Falls Lutheran Church, American Legion Auxiliary for more than 50 years; served many years as a Yellow Medicine Co. volunteer driver, Order of Eastern Star, Sunrise Chapter #72 in Montevideo, Family Services Rides Program, Community Ed - on the advisory board, and was also a tour guide. She loved golf and flowers and being with her family. She was a quilter, wrote and published family stories and poems, spent winters in Texas and loved to fish. She traveled extensively. Among her favorite places were Europe, Alaska and Hawaii and Australia. She saw the Leaning Tower of Pizza and rode on a camel in Tangiers at age 83. Arvis passed away Sunday, October 8, 2017 at the Granite Falls Health Care Center. She was 96. She is survived by daughters Patricia (Boyd) Forest of Lake Mills, WI; Lee Ann Smith, of Granite Falls, son: Dennis (Nancy) Hanson of Jordan; grandchildren: Lisa (Tom) Muldowney; Scott (Teri) Forest, Tim (Sue) Hanson, Tom (Robin) Hanson, Jason (Kathy) Forest, Chris (Wendy) Smith, Toni (Jason) Nelson; nine great grandchildren and three great great grandchildren: cousin: Don Shimer, and many nieces, nephews and friends. Also survived by special family members: step daughters: Maureen Schaller, Maxine Johnson, Charlotte Johnson, Jeanette (Gene) Smith; Diana (Gary Magner) Johnson; step grandchildren; Loree (Rich) Sommers, Deb (Mike) Olson, Tim Schaller; Rhonda Mack; Suzy Fox-Diaz; 10 step great grand- children; and 12 great, great grandchildren. Arvis was preceded in death by parents, Esther and Lyle Hallett; husbands: LeRoy Hanson and Morse Johnson.