Lizbeth Lea (Palan) Johnson

Lizbeth Johnson, 64, of Bemidji, died January 25, 2020 at her home surrounded by her loving family.  

Lizbeth Lea Palan was born June 25, 1955 in Northfield, MN to James & Dolores Palan. She grew up on the family farm near Dundas, MN and graduated from Northfield Junior & Senior High School in 1973.  She went on to attend St. Mary’s Junior College in Minneapolis and received an associate degree in early childhood development.  On July 19, 1975 Lizbeth married her best friend, Gary Johnson, on a beautiful day outside in her mother’s flower garden. In 1976, Liz and Gary moved to Bemidji, MN where she would attend BSU and complete her BA in Education.  She began her teaching career at St. Philip’s Catholic School and taught there for 16 years and then transitioned to the Bemidji Middle School where she retired in 2015.  Liz loved gardening, watching sports and reading.  Her true love was being a grandmother, showering them with all her love and care and spending family time at her much cherished Lutsen Resort.   

She is survived by her husband, Gary; daughter, Lyndsay (Rick) Grand; grandchildren, Olivia & Owen Grand; mother, Dolores Palan; siblings, Kerwin (Lynn) Palan, Jenine (Dan) Lennberg and Sue (Dennis) Barger.  Liz is preceded in death by her father and brother, Phillip. 

Lizbeth’s family prefers any memorials in her honor be made to the Sanford Joe Lueken Cancer Center or Sanford Home Care & Hospice   

Guestbook at www.OlsonSchwartzFuneralHome.com

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