DeLoris "Dee" Ione Aasland Johnson

DeLoris “Dee” Ione (Aasland) Johnson, 94, of Bryan, Texas, passed away on August 20, 2025, at Isles at Watercrest following a stroke on August 4th.

Born on July 23, 1931, in Clear Lake, Wisconsin, Dee was the daughter of Manda (Pederson) and Amil O. Aasland. She was raised by her Aunt Alma Pederson and Uncle Oscar Pederson, on the farm of her grandparents (Christine & Lars) in Hector, MN. She was the only one in her family to graduate high school, receiving her diploma in 1949 from Hector High School (MN) before attending Minneapolis School of Business. She worked in accounting and bookkeeping throughout her career.

In 1951, Dee met and married Gene Alton Johnson at Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Minneapolis. Together, they built their life in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, raising two daughters in the home her father built. After Gene’s retirement, they moved to Montevideo, Minnesota, in 2004 to be near family. Dee later relocated to Bryan, Texas, in 2019, living independently at Arbor Oaks before moving to Isles at Watercrest earlier this year.

Dee’s life was defined by her faith, her devotion to family, and her servant’s heart. She served as a Girl Scout leader for more than 15 years. She cherished her time learning and teaching in Bible Study Fellowship and remained actively engaged in bible studies until her stroke. Dee cared for many extended family members as they aged. She had a sharp wit and a gift for remembering details — birthdays, anniversaries, places, names, and connections between people. Dee was a straight shooter, known for her “one-liners” and her honest nature. She brought both laughter and wisdom into every room she entered.

Dee especially treasured her role as “Gramma.” She loved to play with her grandchildren! She enjoyed playing Spinner, Chicken Foot, and Uno with her family. The spot next to Gramma was a dangerous place to sit. She would laugh so hard she ended up silently quaking, with tears in her eyes. Dee loved to make Scandinavian Christmas treats, especially cookies to share with family and friends, a tradition learned from her grandmother.

Mom loved flowers! She found joy in her gardens, eagerly awaiting the blooms of tulips, iris, day lilies, bleeding hearts, and peonies each spring. She loved sitting on her glider with a cup of coffee enjoying nature.

Dee is survived by her daughters, Christine Ostertag Deppe (Donald) of Calvert, TX, and DeLaura Van Ravenswaay (Alan) of Bryan, TX; grandchildren Earl Ostertag, Josiah Ostertag, Emily Van Ravenswaay, and Laura Van Ravenswaay; as well as many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 60 years; her parents; her brothers Amil M. Aasland (Betty) and Lars A. Aasland; and her sister Lorraine Collison Burkland (Lloyd Collison & Milford Burkland).

Dee will be remembered as a strong and independent woman of unwavering faith who fiercely loved her family. She leaves behind a legacy of service, laughter, and strength.

Inurnment will take place at Sunset Memorial Cemetery in Montevideo, MN, at a later date.