Johanna Love

Johanna Neis Love made her grand entrance into the world on November 1, 1927, in Rockville, MN, courtesy of Joseph and Susan (Loesch) Neis. She grew up on a farm near Kimball, where she perfected the art of bareback horseback riding and general mischief.

She later met her match—literally—in Ottertail County. James Love didn’t stand a chance against her sass and sharp wit, so naturally, they got married and were blessed with twelve children, raising a small army of eleven children to adulthood, all of whom benefited from her awesome cooking.

In 1969, they packed up the farm life and relocated to West Battle Lake, where Johanna transformed into a legendary gardener (a.k.a. Pickle Patch Queen) and embraced lake life like a true Minnesotan. Summers were for sunshine, weeding, and pretending to relax.

Johanna’s cooking was the stuff of family legend—her sourdough pancakes, spaghetti sauce, and wild rice hotdish could unite nations. Her grandkids will forever dream of her magical bran muffins and cupcakes made “just for them”—or so she told each one.

When Jim needed a hand with the family’s black dirt and gravel business, Johanna jumped in – mastering the loader, rocking the dump truck and leveling the dirt like a pro. But once work was done, it was time to hit the town. You’d find them on the dance floor, tearing it up to a polka or two step, never missing a beat!

When fall rolled around, Johanna turned into a wild rice warrior, armed with a canoe, push pole, and zero tolerance for slackers. She passed on her love of wild ricing to her kids and grandkids.

In the winter, she rode shotgun on the township snowplow as Jim’s wingwoman ensuring he didn’t take out any mailboxes. In retirement, she and Jim traveled in their RV with their beloved cat to Arizona to enjoy family and friends in the winter months. Johanna also had a passion for traveling internationally, her favorite destinations were in Europe.

Johanna lived life with grit, humor, and a whole lot of love. We’ll miss her sass, her cooking, and her refusal to take life too seriously.

Johanna was preceded in death by her parents Joseph and Susan, husband Jim; infant son Karl, and daughter Kandace; brothers Sylvester, Melvin, Donald, Albin and Andrew; and sisters Rosemary, Edvina, and Marie.

Surviving Johanna are her children Karen (Larry) Love-Kugler, Kevin (Judi) Love, Kristy (Jeff) Love-Anderson, Kay (Steve) Love Miletto, Kathy (Brad Latzke) Love, Kory (Beth) Love, Kim (Bill) Love-Hatling, Konnie Love, Karla Love, and Kendra (Greg) Love Gack; grandchildren Melissa, Jill, Kaila (Peter), Casey (Jess), Kari (Ben), Kristoffer (MacKenzie), Kiah (Matt), Mike (Jenn), Justin (Kristin), Maxwell (Britt), Hannah, Nicole (Robert), Kimberly (Eric), Terrin, Alex, Kaia, and Kennedi; and 16 great-grandchildren.

To Order Flowers:
Petals & Posies
21642 MN-78, Battle Lake, MN 56515
(218) 862-5630
https://www.battlelakeflorist.com/