Amy Johanna Rath Johanson

Amy Johanna Rath Johanson

Amy Johanson, 43, died Sunday, December 14, 2014 in Sanford Hospital of ALS Lou Gehrig’s Disease. She met the challenge with courage and determination.

Amy was born June 29, 1971, to David R. and Barbara A. Gill Rath in Fargo, ND. She attended McKinley Elementary, Ben Franklin Jr. and graduated as co valedictorian of Fargo North High School in 1989. She played violin in the Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra and the Opal Posh string quartet. She was a member of the FM Youth Symphony, and also played piano. She swam for the Fargo North Swim Team and was co captain her senior year. She was awarded the ND Robert C. Byrd Scholarship for her academic achievements. She earned the highest honor in Camp Fire, the WoHeLo medallion.

She graduated from MSUM in 1993 majoring in Mathematics, she was an Honors Apprentice in Mathematics, and studied a semester in Italy her senior year.

Amy and John Johanson were married June 18, 1994. In their 20 years of marriage they enjoyed traveling, camping, and especially their log home near Park Rapids, MN. They made a special trip driving the Alaskan Highway July 2012, after her diagnosis. English Springer Spaniels were an important part of their lives, they’ve had Michelangela and Leonardo for 3 ½ years. Amy loved cooking, remodeling, crafts, and planning the next project.

She taught mathematics at NDSCS for five years before beginning her nine year career as a mathematics teacher at Fargo South High School. She was active in professional mathematics organizations at the local and national level and attended numerous conferences, always learning something new to try in her classroom.

Since the ALS diagnosis in September 2011, she was determined to not let life pass her by. She was active in the ALS support group, enjoyed concerts, and planned activities to get out each week. They were able to spend time at their cabin in the summers. After the tracheostomy her communication with the outside world was with a computer that recognized her eyes. She surfed the internet, read and sent emails, and checked facebook and the news daily. Always a teacher, she researched on line how we could better care for her.

Amy is survived by her husband John, parents Barbara and David Rath, brother Joseph Rath, and mother in law Leslie Johanson as well as numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her grandparents.

Amy gave the gift of life through organ and tissue donation. Her cremains will be placed on their lake property.

A gathering of family and friends will be held Thursday, December 18 from 3:00-6:00 PM at Wright Funeral Home, 605 2nd Ave. So., Moorhead, MN.

Memorials may be sent to the ALS or MDA Associations or to the charity of your choice.