Leslie Lynn Johnson was born January 10, 1952 in Cando, North Dakota to Melvin (Buster) and Leah (Frenchie) Johnson. During the first North Dakota oil boom, the Johnson family moved to Tioga briefly in 1959 and settled into Ray, North Dakota. Leslie spent her grade school years at Ray public grade school and graduated from Ray High School in 1970. After her graduation, Leslie attended Wahpeton State College graduating as a licensed practical nurse. After graduating from nursing school, Leslie served as a nurse in the United States Navy.

In 1973 she met and married Kenny Ellvanger in her hometown and church in Ray, North Dakota. After her marriage, Leslie continued working as a nurse at the Mountrail Bethel Home. In 1974 Kenny and Leslie welcomed their first son Kevin, followed by their daughter Heather in 1978 and son Brett in 1979. While raising their children, being a home maker and wife, Leslie continued her nursing career at Mountrail Bethel Home. She always provided her patients and residents with ever present calmness and bedside humor. These are attributes all her residents and their families cherished and admired about her.

In 2018, Leslie decided that it was time to finally retire and spend more time with her family and friends. She also wanted to scratch off a few trips and adventures from her bucket list. Her greatest joy and pride in life were her grandchildren. Cherishing every minute she could with them. She loved to cook and bake, and spent time in the spring planting her flowers. Whenever she had spare time, she loved having coffee and a good chat with family and friends. Her recipes for baked beans and shrimp salad were among those most requested at family gatherings.

Leslie is survived by her husband, Kenny; son, Kevin (Natalie); daughter, Heather; son, Brett (Lindsey); stepson, Todd (Christy) Chambers; 7 grandchildren; brothers, Lonnie (Misty) Johnson, Howard Johnson; sisters, Connie Tandski, Jackie Perdue, Sherry (Larry) Wilson and Patricia Allard; brother-in-law, Greg (Yvonne) Ellvanger; sisters-in-law, Debbie (Bernie) Wright and Lana (Jim) Jorgenson.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Leah and Melvin Johnson; in-laws, Floyd and Violet Ellvanger; grandson, Maddyx Ellvanger; brothers-in-law, Larry Tandeski, John Purdue and Lyle Allard; nieces, Kristi Ellvanger-Keinert and Tina Meiers.