Gail Libby Johnson

Gail (Libby) Johnson was born at Wesley Hospital in Wadena August 2, 1963 to Richard and Ramona Libby. Unfortunately her father Richard was killed in a hunting accident in October of that year. Her mother Mona married Warner Luoma June 18th of 1966 and the family moved to Phoenix and was there until they moved to St Paul where Warner could finish his divinity degree. In 1968 the family moved to Palisade, MN where Warner pastored at church and were there until they left for Singapore in 1971. Gail attended the Singapore American School from age 8 while her parents were missionaries in Sumatra and came back to Wadena for her junior year of high school, graduating in 1981.

Gail completed her LPN training in 1985 and went on to get her RN degree from Normandale Community College in 1987, a week before marrying Kurt Johnson on June 13, 1987. Their son Alexander Johnson was born December 14, 1989. Gail received her 4-year degree as an RN from Graceland University and later went on to get a master’s degree at Boise State Idaho. In December of 2017, she achieved a PhD in Nursing Education from UND Grand Forks.

Over her lifetime, Gail worked at HCMC, LifeSource, North Memorial and most recently at HealthPartners as the Director of the Simulation Center. The Simulation Center started in the basement of Metro State University in 2007 and later moved to its much larger location at Regions Hospital. She retired in December 2017 after 10 years of running the simulation program. Gail was a Certified Critical Care Nurse since 1995 and was actively involved with the Society for Simulation in Healthcare.

Gail enjoyed travelling, especially cruises, eating out and hosting an annual Pig Roast every August. She also enjoyed camping and visiting with family and friends. In early 2016 she was diagnosed with cancer and fought it bravely before passing away peacefully at home on the evening of July 11, 2018. She believed in continued education and a lifetime of service to nursing. Gail was deeply loved by her family and friends. She touched many lives and will be missed dearly by those who knew her.

Gail was preceded in death by her grandparents, Don and Eleanor Libby, Jack and Phyllis Beving, and Agnes and Walfred Luoma; parents, Richard Libby and Ramona Luoma, and father-in-law, Ray Johnson. She is survived by her husband, her son Alex (Jen Montgomery), father, Rev. Warner Luoma (Diane Tiegland) and mother-in-law, Lee Johnson.

Visitation at Kozlak-Radulovich Chapel (1385 - 107th Ave. NE, Blaine) Friday, July 20 from 5-7 PM. Funeral service at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church (19001 Jackson St. NE, East Bethel) Sunday, July 22 at 2 PM with visitation one-hour prior. Burial will be in the Wadena Cemetery on Tuesday July 24 at 11 AM with immediate family. Arrangements with Kozlak-Radulovich Chapel, Blaine, MN.

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