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Dianne Lynn (Morton) Johnston (née Hoppenworth), 74, of Grand Forks, North Dakota, passed away on December 29, 2021, surrounded by family.

A Memorial Service is scheduled for 4pm on Friday, May 6, 2022, at St. Mark's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 715 24th Ave S, Grand Forks, North Dakota 58201. A Family Greeting will be one hour prior to the service in the church on Friday. Dianne was preceded in death by her father and mother. Dianne was a truly blessed daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend. She left this world after fighting a long, courageous battle with Multiple Sclerosis.

Dianne was born to Paulus Hoppenworth and Dorothy (Ross) Hoppenworth in Wausau, Wisconsin on October 13, 1947.  She has 4 sisters (Connie, Peggy, Trudy, and Lori) and 3 brothers (Larry, LaRon, and Jay). Dianne grew up on a dairy farm near Edgar, Wisconsin. Upon graduating from high school, Dianne began years of travel and adventure by successfully pursuing a job working for the FBI in Washington, DC.  She then married her first husband, an airman (Michael Morton, originally from Antigo, Wisconsin), and moved around the world before settling in North Dakota in 1980. They had five children: Anthony, Eric, Rebecca, Jennifer and Joanna. After 15 years of devoting herself to raising 5 children in an Air Force family, Dianne boldly decided to pursue her previously deferred dream of becoming a nurse. Juggling the demands of continuing to raise 5 children, who ranged in age from kindergarten to high school, on top of the challenges of becoming an older-than-average college student, Dianne persevered in completing her Bachelor's degree in Nursing at the University of North Dakota. Many early mornings and late nights of studying paid off when she graduated Magna Cum Laude in 1987. Dianne started her nursing career at United Hospital (which later became Altru Hospital) that same year, as a RN on the oncology ward. Dianne thrived in the extraordinary calling of caring for cancer patients.

Dianne was a devoted Christian who relied on her faith and her church families throughout her life. While stationed at a US Air Force base in Turkey, Dianne travelled to Berchtesgaden, Germany, to attend a conference for Christian women.

In 1999, Dianne met Roger Sayles Johnston, and the two wed on July 28, 2001. They enjoyed frequent trips in their RV, as well as fishing and hunting together.

Dianne was a master seamstress who was known for her incredible ability to make her own patterns and create one-of-a-kind masterpieces. Dianne enjoyed simple pleasures like licorice, watching TV while eating popcorn, and fishing in the summer.  She loved baking, especially during the holidays. An enthusiastic conversationalist, Dianne made many friends wherever she lived, and treasured frequent visits from many of them during her final years. Dianne was always grateful for the loving, skilled help that her favorite caregivers provided.

She is survived by her husband, Roger Johnston (Grand Forks, ND); former husband, Michael Morton (Tucson, AZ); 5 children, [Anthony (Tricia) Morton (Albuquerque, NM); Eric (Kerry) Morton (Bend, OR); Rebecca (James) Houser (Warrenton, VA); Jennifer (Richard) Kemp (Columbia, SC); and Joanna Feist (Bend, OR)]; 10 grandchildren; and her 7 siblings. Her beloved grandchildren are: Keelin, Eli and Fiona Morton; Sienna Houser; Andrew Ferencik, Alex Ferencik and Brady Kemp; Madison (Feist) Berman, Harrison and Hunter Feist.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society on Dianne's behalf. To donate, go to https://www.nationalmssociety.org/Donate . Or, if you prefer to donate via check, mail it to:

National MS Society
PO Box #91891
Washington, D.C. 20090​

Memorial Service: 4:00 p.m. Friday, May 6, 2022, at St. Mark's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 715 24th Ave S, Grand Forks, North Dakota 58201.
Family Greeting: Will be one hour prior to the service in the church on Friday.