Rita Agnes Johnson

Rita A. Johnson, 94, Grand Forks, ND, formerly of Bismarck, died Saturday, August 17, 2024, at Valley Senior Living on Columbia, Grand Forks, ND. 

Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:00 AM, Friday, August 23, at Church of Corpus Christi, 1919 N 2nd St, Bismarck, ND, with burial at the Calvary Cemetery in Langon, ND. Visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 PM, Thursday, August 22, at Church of Corpus Christi, Bismarck, ND, where a rosary/vigil will begin at 7:00 PM.

Rita, daughter of Verna and Ole Johnson, was born in Langdon, North Dakota, on October 29th, 1929. She attended grade school and high school at St. Alphonsus School and continued her post-secondary education at the College of St. Benedict in St. Joseph, Minnesota, where she majored in social studies and minored in English, history, and theology. Following graduation in 1951, Rita began her teaching position at Hazleton, North Dakota, and after 2 years she moved to Towner, North Dakota, and later Hazen, North Dakota. In 1959, Rita accepted a position at Bismarck High School to teach Senior English, literature and composition, and advanced English. As she expanded knowledge for her many, many students over the years, Rita also continued her own studies. In 1963, she received a scholarship from the National Council of Teachers of English to study English literature in England for a summer. By 1971, she had earned a master's degree in English literature from the University of North Dakota. Rita retired in 1989 after 30 years at Bismarck High School. Even in retirement, Rita remained committed to education, establishing a scholarship fund at the University of Mary for seniors from Bismarck High School, using scholarships as a means of continuing to encourage the education of young people who gave so much meaning to her life over the years. Rita served on the Bismarck Public School Foundation Board, the North Dakota Education Association Foundation Board, and the Bismarck Mandan Retired Teachers Association. In addition, she volunteered as a legislative lobbyist for the AARP for many years following retirement. Rita was awarded North Dakota Teacher of the Year in 1963, Bismarck Outstanding Teacher in 1987, and the North Dakota State Retired Teacher’s Silver Apple Award in 2005. In 1989, the Rita Johnson Library at Bismarck High School was named in her honor. While still teaching, she became a member of the Board of Regents at Mary College in 1985, now referred to as the University of Mary, later becoming a member of the University of Mary Heritage Society in 2005. She was an active member of Church of Corpus Christi in Bismarck and served many years as a Eucharistic minister and lector, as well as a nursing home and assisted living home visitor. She also worked with students learning English as a second language for several years during her retirement and enjoyed volunteering at the Bismarck Emergency Food Pantry. 

Rita is survived by her sister-in-law Bobbie Johnson, of St. Louis Park, MN, niece Anne (Olson) Johnson (Chad), and nephews Scott Johnson (Cheryl) of Zelienople, PA, Lee Johnson (Jill) of St. Louis Park, MN, niece-in-law Trish Flock-Johnson, Minneapolis, MN, and nephews Chris Johnson (Melissa), Grand Forks, ND, and Lynn Johnson, Woodbury, MN; her grand nieces and nephews, who she loved like grandchildren, Alexis Johnson (Keenan), Amanda Johnson, Cole Johnson, Haley Johnson, Brynn Laughner (Braydon), Andy Johnson, Lillian Johnson, Henry Johnson, Casey Johnson, Noah Johnson, Davis Johnson, and Carolyn Johnson; and many “Wild” relatives. 

She was preceded in death by her parents Ole and Verna Johnson, infant brother James, sisters Anne Johnson and Margaret Olson, brother Richard Johnson, brother-in-law John Olson, and nephew Tom Flock-Johnson. 

In lieu of flowers, the family would encourage you to support the charity of your choice in honor of Rita's strong belief in charitable giving.