Beverly Mindrum Johnson Obit

BEVERLY MARIE JOHNSON, 92, of Roseville, MN, died May 27, 2026, from complications of Lewy body dementia. She wrote under her maiden name, Beverly Mindrum, during her career as an editor and a reporter for both the Minneapolis Star Tribune and the St. Paul Dispatch and Pioneer Press. Born November 16, 1933, in Bemidji, MN, she grew up in Palisade and Aitkin, MN, where early life included both school and hard work. She even left school for two years to work as a lumberjack alongside her brother, Lamberth, to help support the household. She later returned to high school with her sister Ramona and excelled academically. While still in school, she was hired by the Aitkin Independent Age newspaper, beginning a journalism career that would span more than three decades. She attended the University of Minnesota, graduating in 1959 with a Bachelor of Arts in journalism. There, she served as editor-in-chief of the Minnesota Daily. She was later honored with induction into the Minnesota Daily Hall of Distinction. Her professional journalism career began at the Minneapolis Star, working on the women’s pages before moving into city-side reporting. In 1964, she joined the St. Paul Dispatch and Pioneer Press, where she spent the next three decades as a reporter and editor in what she often described as the golden era of Twin Cities journalism. After retiring, Beverly returned to northern Minnesota, where she worked with her son Eric at his restaurant in Crosby. She remained active in writing and community life, contributing to projects with the Cuyuna Country Heritage Preservation Society, including a three-volume history of the area and a cookbook. She also wrote (unpublished) suspense novels and books for young adults. Following Eric’s death in 2009, she returned to the Twin Cities to be closer to her son Christian and his family. Beverly met her husband, Robert J.R. Johnson, while both were covering the same assignment for the competing newspapers. They were married June 9, 1962. Together, they raised their sons Eric and Christian, while continuing their careers in journalism. Colleagues remembered Beverly not only for her editorial skills but also for her encouragement of younger journalists, her calm presence during breaking news and high-pressure deadlines, and for her homemade cinnamon rolls. Beverly eventually made her home with Christian, his wife Emily, and two of her grandchildren in Roseville, where they cared for her through the progression of her illness. She is survived by her son, Christian; her sister, Ramona; her half-brother, James (Jim); and her grandchildren, Bradley, Lukas, and Anneliese. She is preceded in death by her sister Joan, brother Lamberth, half-brother Donald (Bucky), her mother Mary, and her father Ole Mindrum. A Funeral Mass was held June 16 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in New Brighton, MN. Inurnment was at Oakland Cemetery in St. Paul, MN.