Mrs. Johanna Kurtti age 94 passed away to be with her Lord Thursday June 18, 2009 at Bethany Homes in Fargo , North Dakota . Johanna (Larson) Kurtti was born August 22, 1914 to Tom and Guri (Carlson) Larson in Binford , North Dakota . She grew up on a farm three miles West of Binford and attended school in the Binford area. She graduated from Binford High School in 1932.

Johanna married Vaina J. Kurtti in Breckenridge , MN August 22, 1932 . They raised seven children and lived in Fargo , Binford, Sutton, and Jamestown , ND and later moved to Cannon Falls , Red Wing, and Goodhue , MN . Vaina passed away May 1, 1959 while they were living in the Goodhue, MN area. After Vaina's death, Johanna and her family moved back to Binford and later to Cooperstown , ND . Johanna suffered a stroke in 1996 and became a resident of Bethany Homes in Fargo , ND . She enjoyed playing Bingo and other games with her friends at Bethany .

Johanna was a dedicated Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, and Great Great Grand mother who enjoyed gardening, baking bread, quilting, and crocheting for her family and friends.

She also challenged the grandchildren to whist, uno, and checkers. After her family moved away she provided care to the elderly at their respective homes in various North Dakota communities. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Binford and later Trinity Lutheran Church in Cooperstown .

Johanna is survived by six children. Thomas (Louise) Kurtti , Fargo , North Dakota , Charles (Mary Jo) Kurtti, Neenah , Wisconsin , Roger (Kay) Kurtti , Goodhue , Minnesota , Linda (Richard) Anderson , Fargo, North Dakota, Vicki (Elliott) Haugen , Falls Church, Virginia, Richard Kurtti., St James , Missouri . 20 Grandchildren, 39 Great Grandchildren, and 6 Great Great Grandchildren.  Three sisters, Ann Storkson, Everett, Washington, Vivian Avdem, Pekin, North Dakota, Gladys (Irving) Marquart, Lakota, North Dakota. Two brothers, Melvin Larson, Fargo , North Dakota and Trygve Larson, Orange , California . Two sisters-in-law, Glenna Larson, Binford , North Dakota and Jo Larson, Valley City , North Dakota .

She was preceded in death by her husband Vaina, son Eugene Kurtti, her parents Tom and Guri Larson, grandson Craig Kurtti, great grandson Shelby Kurtti, great granddaughter Mary Huneke, and four brothers, Thelford, Carl, Halvor, and Sivert Larson.

The family wishes to thank the Staff and Caretakers at Bethany Homes and Hospice for Mother's wonderful care.

Funeral services for Johanna will be Wednesday, June 24, 2009 at 10:30 AM in the First Lutheran Church on Broadway in Fargo, ND.  Officiating will be Pastor Ernie Stadum.  Organist will be Michael Olson.  Visitation will be one hour prior to services in the church.  Interment will be Wednesday, June 24, 2009 at 4:00 PM in the Binford Cemetery, Binford, ND.  Officiating will be Reverend Jessica Merchant.

Arrangements with the Cooperstown Funeral Chapel