Deloris G. Johanson

Deloris G. Johanson, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother passed away on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at CHI, St. Alexius Health, Devils Lake Hospital at the age of 84.

There will be visitation at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake, ND on Monday, October 20, 2025 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a time of Prayer and Remembrance at 7:00 p.m. Funeral Services will be on Tuesday, October 21, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Olaf Lutheran Church with Reverend Lori Pankratz officiating. Burial will be in the Devils Lake Cemetery followed by a time of fellowship in the church dining hall.

Born September 26, 1941 in Devils Lake, Deloris Gloria, daughter of Joseph and Norma T. (Aamodt) Elgaen grew up in the Churchs Ferry, North Dakota area. She attended school at Dry Lake #1 Country School and later attended Devils Lake High School, graduating with the class of 1958.

Deloris married Michael Meier Jr. (now deceased) and they were the proud parents of Darrell, twins Carri and Conni and Dennis. She worked at a local dry cleaners for several years, and eventually continued her education at Mercy Hospital School of Nursing, earning her degree as a Licensed Practical Nurse in the early 1960’s. This started her on a 30 plus year career of caring for others in so many special ways.

Her first job was as a nurse in the Emergency Department of Mercy Hospital. She met and later married John Bauerle (now deceased) in 1969 and they were blessed to add two more to the family, Darcy and Melissa. They established their home in Edinburg, ND and Deloris worked at St. Ansgar Hospital for over 20 years.

Deloris was first and foremost a devoted mother to her children. They were her treasures. When she married Frank Johanson on August 29, 1998, she and Frank were able to enjoy a more adventurous life. She continued working at the Lutheran Home, then the Good Samaritan Care Center and retired from REM in 2006. With retirement, came camping trips, traveling throughout the United States and trips to Sturgis, South Dakota on Frank’s motorcycle. Deloris loved the open road and wore the attire (lots of fringe) fitting for any serious motorcyclist.

She enjoyed several hobbies including crocheting, gardening and cooking. She was very gifted in all these areas, but everything she baked or cooked was the best in the eyes of her family and friends.

Her caring heart didn’t stop with patients and family, she also volunteered in the community, in her church St. Olaf Lutheran Church. She was part of the quilting crew, Altar Guild and WELCA and helped with ushering and other duties that needed to be done. She also enjoyed membership in the VFW Auxiliary.

Deloris had such a big heart. She loved her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren unconditionally. She loved her Lord, her community, and her extended family and many dear friends. Frank’s love and devotion was never more evident than in the care he provided as Deloris’s health declined in recent years. She will never be forgotten and always present in our hearts and memories.

"The legacy of a nurse lives on through the lives they touched and the hearts they healed." Though Deloris may no longer walk beside us, her spirit will be with us always.

Deloris’s loving family include her husband Frank of 27 years; children Darrell ( Laurie) Meier, Conni Meier and Dennis (Shawn) Meier all of Bismarck, ND, Darcy (Craig) Hansted, Edgeley, ND and Melissa Bauerle, Grand Forks, ND; twelve grandchildren Ramie (Jon) Sprenger, Billings MT, Travis LaFrenz, Minot, ND, Natasha LaFrenz, Bismarck, James Scharf (Loren Strange), Illinois, Jacqueline (Patrick) Sprague, Illinois, Jessica Scharf, Washington, Josh (Stephanie) Scharf, Illinois, Brock (Callei) Meier, Bismarck, Abigail Hansted, Port Townsend, WA and Andrew Hansted, Portland, OR; great grandchildren Raelynn (6), Alivia (4), Joseph (6), Michael (4), Hannah (1), Kaden (22), Brooklyn (16), Taylor (21), Jordan (19), and Sydney (15); son-in-law Joe Scharf, Bloomington, IL; step children Laura (Keith) Winson, Maddock ND and Kristie Genre, New Rockford ND; step grandchildren Jordan (Kayla) Every, Grand Forks, ND, Sydney Every, Maddock, Hunter Genre, Fisher Genre, both of Garrison ND; step great grandchildren Rylee, Hudson, Madden; siblings Donald Elgaen, Mayville ND, Alice Biewer, Jamestown, ND and Evon Williams, Astoria OR; aunt Mabel Rabideaux, Devils Lake; sister-in-law Rhoda (Leon) Pfeifer, Minnewaukan, ND; many dear nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was reunited with her parents, daughter Carri Scharf, grandchildren Brandon LaFrenz and Justin Scharf, siblings Selmer Elgaen, John Elgaen, Joy Hougan, Tom Elgaen, and Dale Elgaen and many other aunts, uncles and cousins.