Elna Johnson

Elna Joann (Christensen) Johnson, 91, was born at the Brush, Colorado hospital on Jan. 3, 1935, to Severt and Agnes (Andersen) Christensen and died at the Imperial Manor May 22, 2026. She was the youngest of six children. She graduated from Wiggins (Colo.) High School in 1952, from Central Business College in Denver, Colorado in 1953 and worked for the Public Service Company in Brush, Colorado for a year. 
Elna was proud of her Danish heritage with her father being born in Denmark and her mother also being of Danish descent. She recited a Danish prayer nightly and the family has Danish holiday traditions.
During her junior year in high school, there was a new school superintendent in Wiggins. When his son walked into her biology class, she thought, “I wouldn’t mind dating him.” And date they did. She and her high school sweetheart, Loral Alan Johnson, were married April 4, 1954, and made their home in Imperial, Nebraska, where Loral was employed at the Imperial Republican newspaper. To this union four children were born — Brenda Kaye, Randal Bert, Lori Joann and Kurt Hunsaker. 
Elna joined Loral’s love of the newspaper business, and they purchased the Imperial Republican in 1968. They later established Johnson Publications, Inc., and acquired ownership of the Holyoke Enterprise, Grant Tribune-Sentinel and Wauneta Breeze. They sold their corporation to family members in 1999.
During their active years in business, they both served as president of the Nebraska Press Association and both received the Master Editor-Publisher Award, a prestigious newspaper honor. Elna and Loral represented Nebraska in the National Newspaper Association. Elna was recognized as the national Emma McKinney Award winner in 1990.
Elna was an active member of the Methodist Church in Imperial since 1954. She taught Sunday School and Bible School and chaired local and district committees. She was active in numerous community organizations including the Imperial Community Foundation Fund, the Imperial Library Foundation, Order of the Eastern Star, delivered Meals on Wheels and taught swimming lessons. She was appointed by Governor Charles Thone for a two-year term on the Nebraska Commission on the Status of Women. 
Throughout the years, Elna enjoyed traveling, bridge, Mah Jongg, jigsaw puzzles, bowling, golf, square dancing, gatherings at their Enders Lake cabin as well as other activities with family and friends. 
She and Loral were known for welcoming newcomers to the community into their home or cabin and made them feel special. Church members have said it was Elna who invited them to church when they first moved to town. 
Their family was very close and was an inspiration to her. She had a passion for people and cared about her community. She especially loved her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and made note that she prayed her family would all hold that relationship first in their lives.
Elna was preceded in death by her husband of 48 years, Loral, in 2002; her parents; two sisters, Ruth (Elmer) Sagel and Erma (Slim) Osleson; three brothers, Robert, Everett (Bessie) and Edgar (Carol); in-laws Muriel (Albert) Kutzer, Lanning Johnson, Yvonne Monasmith and Carl Peltzer.
Survivors include four children, Brenda (Robert) Brandt of Holyoke, Colorado, Randal Johnson of Overland Park, Kansas, Lori (Russell) Pankonin of Imperial, and Kurt (Paula) Johnson of Aurora; six grandchildren, Brooke (Nathan) Robertson of Ogallala, Celeste (Mathew) May of Lincoln, Robyn (Steve) Spangler of Georgetown, Texas, Blayke (Joe) Froehner of Omaha; Duncan (Erin) Brandt of Loveland, Colorado, and Molly Brandt (Imani Adams) of Denver, Colo.; 12 great-grandchildren, Austin Lutz, Tayvin and Preslin Lutz, Tucker, Lyla, Bella and Jett May, Orion Brandt, Arlo Froehner, Scottie Spangler and Tyler and Kade Robertson; in-laws Gail Christensen of Australia and Cathy Johnson of Alexandria, Minnesota; many nieces, nephews and a host of friends.
Memorials have been designated to the Imperial Community Foundation Fund, PO Box 1281, Imperial, NE 69033; Imperial Manor Parkview Heights, PO Box 757, Imperial; Chase County Hospital Foundation, PO Box 819, Imperial; or donor’s choice. 
Liewer Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, May 27, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. at the Imperial Methodist Church, 420 Holland Street, in Imperial. Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. at Liewer Funeral Home, 841 Court Street, in Imperial.