Ethel Esther (Jentz) Johnston was born January 14, 1938, the youngest of two girls born to Ernest and Edna (Gregor) Jentz on the Jentz family farm near Pumpkin Hill at the top of the Minnesota River Valley in Tyrone Twp., Le Sueur Co., MN.

She was baptized at St. Paul's Evangelical and Reformed Church, Henderson, MN, March 1, 1938, and confirmed April 6, 1952, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Sibley Twp., Sibley Co., MN.

At the age of two, her mother became ill and died. The following year her dad married Hilda Wiest, and she and her sister, Myrtle, moved with their dad to a farm west of Rush River in Kelso Twp., Sibley County, nine miles west of Le Sueur, MN, where she helped on the farm while growing up.

Ethel walked 1 ½ miles to attend rural Sibley County School District #7, at Rush River, for grades 1-6. Sometimes she got a ride from Grandpa William Wiest who was taking cream to the Rush River Creamery. She rode the school bus to the school in Le Sueur, starting in grade 7.

Following her high school graduation from Le Sueur Public School, Le Sueur, May 31, 1956, she worked for about six years at Trepanier Variety Store, Le Sueur. She then attended and graduated from Mankato Business College, Mankato, MN, and worked as a bookkeeper at Lampert Lumber Company, Mankato.

April 24, 1965, she married Lowell Johnston at Trinity Lutheran Church, Sibley Co. They first made their home in New Richland, MN, and then moved to Owatonna, MN. To this union two children were born: Steven and Susan. Lowell died April 3, 1991.

After marriage, Ethel worked at home. In addition to her children, she cared for many small children, who have fond memories of her. She also did some sewing, including clothing. Ethel was a quiet, thoughtful and caring person with a big smile and quiet humor. She enjoyed working with her flowers and garden. She also liked dancing, eating out, family trips, camping, country music, spending time with family, and watching TV, especially game shows. She was a member of St. John Lutheran Church, Owatonna.

Ethel died September 5, 2024, at The Emeralds, Faribault, MN, after a short battle with cancer.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Lowell; parents, Ernest, Edna and Hilda Jentz; sister, Myrtle Jentz; brother-in-law, Tom Jackson; parents-in-law, Roy and Ruth Johnston; and brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Leslie and Lola Johnston.

She is survived by children: Steven (Janine) Johnston and Susan (Erick) Eschenbach. Two sisters, Carol Jackson, and Lois (Ken) Ahntholz, a brother, William (Barb) Jentz, and nieces and nephews survive her.

Visitation at Michaelson Funeral Home, 1930 Austin Road, Owatonna, Thursday, September 12, 4-7 pm. Funeral Service at St. John Lutheran Church, 1301 Lincoln Avenue, Owatonna, Friday, September 13, 11 am. Interment will be in Owatonna Memorial Gardens, Owatonna.

Memorial suggestions: Steele County Humane Society, P.O. Box 220, Owatonna, 55060, or Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center at Department of Development, Mayo Clinic, 200 First St., Rochester, MN 55905. Donations may be made online.