Dorothy Leone Johnson-Berger, just two months shy of 100 years old, passed away on May 3, 2026, in Rockford, Illinois. Born in Ostrander, Minnesota on July 26, 1926, she was the youngest of six children to Benjamen and Mae (Larson) Christopherson. On her 19th birthday, she would go on to marry Carlton “Carl” Johnson, in her hometown of Ostrander. They shared 62 years of marriage before his passing in January of 2007. Dorothy was a devoted wife and mother, but she was also a dedicated “hostess with the mostest”, a title she earned and held with pride throughout her 5 decades at Stockholm Inn. Later in life she found companionship with Albert “Al” Berger, and they would wed on October 6, 2012.

She will be missed by those who loved her most, her children Diane (Daniel) Waarvik, Sandra (Neil) Brogren, and Steven (Barb) Johnson; her beloved grandchildren, Dawn (Dorion) Taylor, Seth (Nicole) Brogren, Julie (Kris) Kaufman, Elizabeth Homan, Lindsay Johnson and Luke Johnson; her great-grandchildren Chase Taylor, Ty Taylor (Hanna Berg), Joshua Brogren, Travis Brogren, Ashton Kaufman, Owen Kaufman, Drew Kaufman, Dane Homan, and Finley Homan; her first great-great-grandchild, Dezarae Marie Taylor; she is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her husband Carleton, and husband Al; her parents Benjamen and Mae; and her siblings Gorgetta, Laverne, Ewayne, Galen, and Darlene.

A very special and heartfelt thank you to Northern Illinois Hospice, as well as Fairhaven Cristian Retirement Center. Their genuine care, love, and compassion was evident and so very appreciated throughout Dorothy’s final years.

There will be a private burial at Arlington Memorial Park in Rockford, Illinois. A celebration of Dorothy’s life will take place on Saturday, June 20th, 2026, at First Lutheran Church, 225 S. 3rd Street, Rockford, Illinois 61104, starting at 10:00 a.m. with a memorial service to follow at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, consider memorials to be made to First Lutheran church, or to Fairhaven Retirement Center. To send online condolences or share memories, please visit www.fitzgeraldfh.com