Clarine Mildred Johnson

Clarine Mildred Johnson, age 84, Sioux Falls, formerly of Clark, the widow of Harold, died peacefully in the Ava's Hospice House at Sioux Falls on Wednesday, November 14, 2018. A memorial service will be held June 29, 2019 at 1 PM at the Furness Funeral Home Chapel at Clark, SD. Reverend Mindy Ehrke will officiate and Dorothy Fuller will be the pianist. Burial will follow at the Rose Hill Cemetery of Clark.

Clarine Mildred (Cochrane) Johnson, was born January 26, 1934, in Clark, South Dakota, to parents Ralph "Ted" and Mildred (Wika) Cochrane. Clarine grew up in Clark and was the second born of five Cochrane children. She graduated from Clark High School in 1952 where she was a cheerleader, trumpet player and singer in the choir. Clarine married her high school sweetheart, Harold Lloyd Johnson, also from Clark, on June 15, 1952 at the St. Paul Lutheran Church. Shortly thereafter, Harold entered the military where the couple relocated to Belleville, Illinois where their first child, Michael Douglas was born on December 7, 1953. Harold was then sent overseas, serving in Okinawa, Japan, while Clarine and son stayed with her parents in Montevideo, MN. Upon Harold's return from overseas, the couple was then transferred to Ft. Bragg in Fayetteville, NC where Harold taught radar communications to army recruits. Upon completion of his military service, Harold was hired by Northwestern Bell Telephone Company. The family lived on a farm in Clark County where their second child, Kristy Lynn was born in Watertown in 1958. For the next few years, the company relocated them to Lake Preston, DeSmet, Watertown and Milbank. In 1961, Harold was relocated to Lake Andes, South Dakota, where they remained for several years. Their third child, Darci Ann was born in Wagner in 1962.

The couple lived in Lake Andes until Harold's untimely death May 14, 1970. Widowed at 36 and now a single parent, Clarine raised their 3 children admirably and lovingly. During that time, Clarine began selling door-to-door for various companies, including Fuller Brush, Sarah Coventry, and Tupperware, to name a few. This is where Clarine discovered her love of "visiting" with people throughout her community and venturing into other nearby communities as well. Her quick wit, kind heart, and happy-go-lucky attitude made people welcome her into their homes for coffee, good conversation, and hopefully a sale. She didn't make much money selling and was usually her own best client, but she sure enjoyed the company and friendships she made along the way.

In 1985, Clarine moved back to Clark to care for her elderly parents, Ted and Mildred, and did so until their deaths at the age of 79 and 88, respectively. Clarine loved being back home in Clark and quickly resumed old friendships with former classmates, family members, and made many new friends, too. By this time, Clarine had 5 grandchildren living in Aberdeen and Woonsocket.

In the summer of 1997, Clarine got guardianship of 3 of her grandchildren, Nikki, Tyler and Casey Flammond and they moved in with her in Clark. Mike Johnson got guardianship over their brother, Mike Flammond, who moved to Woonsocket to live with his uncle Mike and cousin, Dustin. A second time around at a much older age, Clarine became a single parent again doing a tremendous job raising her grandchildren with a great sense of pride and joy. She never missed their numerous school activities and sporting events, never complained, and always said raising her grandkids kept her young.

Clarine was a long-time member of the First Lutheran Church in Lake Andes and St. Paul Lutheran Church in Clark. She frequented the local businesses regularly for a cup of coffee, good conversation, and always something sweet to eat. She lived in her home in Clark until 2015, when she suffered a stroke and was moved to Bethany Assisted Living Home in Sioux Falls, where she remained until her death.

Clarine was preceded in death by her husband (Harold), parents Ted and Mildred, father-in-law and mother-in-law, John and Carrie Johnson, a sister Jean "Darlene" Fontanini, and a brother Max "Micky" (Margaret) Cochrane.

Grateful for having shared in her life are her children, Mike (Jackie) of Sioux Falls; Kristy (Ray) Bower of Harlingen, TX; and Darci (Greg) Mohr, of Arvada, CO; her grandchildren, Dustin Johnson of Sioux Falls, Nikki Flammond of Denver, Michael Flammond serving in the Army at Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, South Korea, Tyler (Emily) Flammond of Guntersville, Alabama, Casey Flammond of Los Angeles, CA, and Emily, Kelly and Rachel Mohr of Arvada, CO; her brothers Ralph "Junior" (Linda) Cochrane of Montevideo, MN, and David Cochrane of Marshall, MN; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Funeral arrangements are with the Furness Funeral Home at Clark where there is an on-line registry at www.furnessfuneralhome.com