NameIvern Johnson
Birth21 Jun 1912, Montevideo, Minnesota
Death18 Sep 2003, St. Paul, Minnesota
BurialLakeport Twp Cemetery, Laporte, Minnesota
Flags%FrostFam, Linked, Thumbnail, [FamLabel], [Gen09], [GenYes]
Spouses
Birth17 Jan 1909, Sheyenne, North Dakota
Death23 May 1987, St. Paul, Minnesota
BurialLakeport Twp Cemetery, Laporte, Minnesota
OccupationLutheran pastor, Seminary professor
EducationB.A., Luther College, Decorah IA; B.D. Luther Seminary
FatherHemming Hansen Frost (1871-1927)
MotherGena Elise Ellingson (1882-1966)
ChildrenMiriam (1941-2009)
Notes for Ivern Johnson
In Remembrance of Ivern Frost … by her children Miriam, Naomi, Ruth ans John

Our Mother, Ivern Frost, was born June 21, 1912, and died at the age of 91 on September 18, 2003 after a long illness. Her children, grandchildren, and many dear friends will remember the multiple opportunities we have had to be in her home: singing at the piano with her, eating her waffles, exchanging stories, soliciting her reading recommendations, and sharing in the vitality of her faith. Our mother was known for her passionate engagement with life. One of her hospice nurses remarked, "Your mother's death was peaceful, but I know that, if she could have, she would have gotten right up and marched out our front door. She never gave up on life." Those of us left behind can vividly picture our mother standing with awe at God's heavenly door, opened wide to receive her.

Our mother's early life was difficult. She was left fatherless at four and her widowed mother worked hard to support her three small children. Despite their financial hardships, her mother made sure her children had access to music and would gather them around the piano every Sunday afternoon for a family hymn fest. Mother grew up to become a fine singer and pianist, passing on her deep love of music (especially of Bach) to her four children. Live music making was a staple in the family home.

Mother would say that the best part of her life began the day a tall, lean, handsome young man named Gerhard Frost came to their home in Montevideo, MN, seeking to rent a room for his mother. For Dad, it was "love at first sight." Fifty-three years later, they would both exclaim that their love was evergreen and growing.

Mother was Dad's chief support and main encouragement as he served Lutheran parishes, first in Nashua and Whitefish, MT and then in Williston, ND. She played the organ and the piano, directed the church choirs, produced the Sunday school plays, critiqued Dad's sermons, read his theological texts and became editor-in-chief of his poetic writings. Later, when our father became a teacher at Luther College and a professor at Luther Seminary, mother threw open her door and extended her table to the many students and colleagues who gravitated to their home for spiritual nurture and theological discussion.

In addition to her busy life with Dad, mother devoted time to her four children: Miriam, Naomi, Ruth and John; and to her two grandchildren, Rachel and Noelle. Rachel remembers overnights at Grandma's and waking up to delicious breakfast smells, plus many intimate conversations. Noelle prizes the embrace of a woman not related to her by blood but attached to her by the heart.

Even after losing our father—the love of her life and her dearest friend—in 1987, mother continued to devote her time to people and issues important to her. Many lesbian and gay Lutherans know her as a strenuous advocate, an unflagging supporter and a generous financial contributor on their behalf. Mother had a way of rooting for the underdog and challenging the status quo. She will be remembered as a complicated, warm, courageous, sometimes difficult, but always inspiring and challenging woman of fish. She will be missed and her memory much cherished by those left behind.
Last Modified 25 Oct 2012Created 6 Sep 2014 using Reunion for Macintosh