Trinity Lutheran Church History

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- Windows on the Past
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Windows on the Past
A Confirmation Project presented in 1987 (Updated in 2003)		(full document in .pdf)

Preface

“History is most fragile. Unless remembered and preserved it is soon lost forever. Sometime early in this century, stained glass windows were donated and placed within the walls of the nave and narthex of the Church. The donors have long since died. Only their names remain on the windows as a permanent legacy of faithfulness and witness.

Three of Trinity’s confirmation students have prepared brief biographies of the people of the windows. What kind of men and women were they? What did they do at Church and in their lives? Who are their living descendants? With those questions as a starting point, this book is a valuable addition to the congregation’s history. Since 1871, Trinity Lutheran Church has proclaimed the good news of Jesus Christ to the Ishpeming area and to the world.”

~ Rev. Thomas A. Skrenes
Written in 1987

(Click on each window to read the history of its donor)

Window Number 1
Mr. and Mrs. Svend Johnson

Svend Johnson was born in Norway. Then he moved to the U.S. and opened a large department store called “SVEND JOHNSON and CO.” The store was moved three times until its final location, where the post office now stands.

Svend used his Norwegian heritage to his business advantage. His wife’s name was Gjertrude. He died in 1913 at the age of 65.

He had three sons named Martin, Julius, and Seth, and two daughters named Mrs. Oliver Rye and Gyda.

His grandsons are Roy H. Johnson, Norman D. Johnson, and Julius Johnson, Jr.

Other descendent of Svend who are still members of Trinity are Kathryn Doto and her daughters Kristen, Mary Jo, Tamara, and Nicole Doto; and Holen Johnson and his children Connie Herman, Lori Brownell, and Kurt Johnson.

Other descendants: Brittany and Libbie Jo Doney.