Bretta C. Christensen Johnson was born on the Skeie Farm in Norway, May 11, 1831. Her parents were Christen Hansen Skeie (Malmanger) (ca Jun 1799-23 Oct 1860) and Britta Johnnes (Jonsdatter) (1 Jun 1798 – 29 Oct 1867). Her father, Christen was born on the farm Malmanger in Kvinnherad, Hordaland, Norway. Her mother, Britta was born at the farm Skeie at Kvinnherad.

Bretta was the 5th of their 9 children. Her siblings were: Jon/John 14 Feb 1820-8 Apr 1889 (Jorna Engelsdatter Holmefjord 26 Dec 1834-19 Jun 1910), Hans 12 Sep 1822-14 Aug 1884 (Britta Fartensdtr Vollen 12 Dec 1832-29 Jun 1931), Anna “Annie” 30 Apr 1825-unknown, Gunnar 18 Jan 1828-1861, Ragnild 29 Jun 1834-1 Oct 1834, Christen 21 Feb 1837-9 Sep 1919 (Groe Ericksdtr Melby 14 Feb 1839-2 Jan 1928), Peder 16 Oct 1840-9 May 1918 (Anna Fartensdtr Bakka 24 Nov 1844-19 Feb 1892) and Thore 30 Aug 1843-17 Aug 1860.

Bretta left Norway May 2, 1853 with her new husband, Gjert Johnson, his parents and siblings Bretta and Gjert had married shortly before their departure at the Kvinnherad, Hovedkirke on April 20, 1853.

They setlled in Olive Township, Clinton County, Iowa and farmed there for many years. They built a new house and donated land on which to build a Lutheran Church, cemetery grounds and a school.

Gjert and Bretta were the parents of eleven children. They were: John dal Gjertson (John G.) Johnson 26 Jan 1855-20 May 1933 (Soneva Larsina Larson Rosland 3 Aug 1850-9 Oct 1916), Berthanna Johnson 6 Apr 1856-9 Nov 1924 (Pastor Johannes J. Heie 11 Nov 1857-15 Mar 1936), Christen Olai Johnson Dosland 24 Jul 1858-4 Nov 1949 (Anne Louise Halvorsen 9 May 1860-30 Jan 1947), Lisbet Karine “Libbie” Johnson 30 Dec 1859-1 Feb 1932 (Hans P. N. Petersen 12 Dec 1859-6 May 1937), Christianna Gjertsdtr. Johnson 27 Jan 1862-8 May 1913 (Erick Barney Charlson 12 Apr 1864-8 Dec 1941), Bertha Margrethe Johnson 24 Aug 1863-1865, Bertha Margaret Johnson 10 Dec 1865-9 May 1952 (Samson Nels Petersen 21 Jan 1864-28 Nov 1939), Gjert G. “George” Jr. Johnson 2 Dec 1867-8 Aug 1936, Johana Maria “Marie” Johnson 7 Jul 1869-4 Jun 1902 (Albert Julius Kroshus 22 Dec 1864-3 Feb 1896), Leah D. Johnson 6 Jun 1871-15 Aug 1871 and Christian G. Johnson Dosland 14 Oct 1872-7 Feb 1945 (Anna Dorothy Lobben 29 Oct 1876-20 Jun 1962).

By 1882 they were ready to seek their fortune in the Red River Valley. They moved north to the Perley area in Lee Township, lock, stock and barrel by train. They brought household goods, their machinery and their animals. They detrained at Felton, MN and began a new life in Norman County. George and Bretta farmed in Lee Township the rest of their lives. Many of their family members stayed with them from time to time.

Bretta passed away 26 Feb 1900 at home in Lee Township. Funeral services for her were held at the Bethania Lutheran Church, rural Perley, 1 Mar 1900.

Four years later, Gjert would pass away from pneumonia on April 1, 1904. Funeral services for him were held at the Bethania Lutheran Church, April 6, 1904. He passed away at the age of 75.