Kathleen Aro

Kathleen Janice Marie Aro 90, longtime resident of Hibbing, passed away Friday, July 20, 2018, surrounded by family at Heritage Manor Health Center in Chisholm.

She was born October 13, 1927 in Chisholm, Minn., the youngest of nine children born to Herman and Mathilda (Merijarvi) Johnson. Janice graduated from Chisholm High School in 1945.

Jan worked for 28 years at Fairview Range Medical Center starting as a nurse’s aide before spending most of those years in Central Supply retiring in 1992 as the manager of the department. She always enjoyed playing bridge with both her neighborhood and church bridge clubs. More recently, weekly games of dominos became the source of pleasure for her and her friends. Family will cherish the many fond memories of the weekly sauna and card nights she hosted. Jan worked very hard and was central in the raising of her family. She had the most positive attitude, humility and a strong faith; a devout and active member of First Lutheran Church throughout her life and time and again shared that faith with family and others. She loved visiting and spending time with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Jan was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and good friend. She cared deeply for her family and was always there for them. She was a wonderful role model and the most valuable legacy will be the life lessons she passed on. Jan was never without a smile and would do anything for anyone. She opened her home to those who needed a safe place and was the glue that held her family together and she will be deeply missed by all. She truly merited the title, given her by many, as the “nicest lady in town”.

Janice  is survived by her children: Ronald (Kathy) Hanson of Cloquet, Cheryl (Joel) Forstrom of Hibbing; step-children Jeanne Stark of Hibbing and Janis (Dennis) Johnson of Knoxville, IA; grandchildren: Ryan (Crimsen) Hanson of Cloquet, Aaron Hanson of Carlton, Jennifer Baker of Sandstone, Emily (Jeremy) Moen of Ely and Erica Rantala of Hibbing; step-grandchildren Dawn (Don Carriveau) Lind of Hibbing, Stacey (Dan) Wherland of Hibbing, Jason Stark of Chisholm, Elisa Storey of Sauk Rapids, Joseph McNamee of North Branch, Dennis Johnson Jr and Rawnette Johnson of Knoxville IA; great grandchildren Dylan and Dennen Hanson, Madelyn and Grayson Moen and Gage Rantala; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents and husbands Elwin A Hanson and Arthur H Aro; siblings Herman Johnson (Chisholm), Saga Persson (Chisholm), Sally Severson (Cook), Jack Johnson (Virginia), Sadie Anderson (Mechanicsburg, PA), Sanfrid Johnson (Chisholm), Emil Johnson (Flint, MI), and Lloyd Johnson (Jacksonville, FL).

A Memorial Service will be held for Janice at 12:00 on Wednesday August 1, 2018 at First Lutheran Church in Hibbing with visitation starting at 11:00 and a luncheon following in the fellowship hall.  The Rev. Paul Hammar will officiate.

Memorials: Are preferred to the First Lutheran Church Memorial Fund.

The family would also like to thank the staff of Heritage Manor Health Care Center in Chisholm and the Sunnyside Health Care Center in Cloquet for their expert and loving care during her time there throughout her journey. Their care and concern are deeply appreciated.