Johanne was born in Jetsmark, Denmark to parents Christopher and Dorothea. She was actually brought up among strangers and knew little of her father. She became a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints while working for a farmer and his wife and the missionaries persuaded the family to pay her way to Utah. Johanne made a lonely voyage to Salt Lake, arriving in October 1862. After her arrival, she happened to meet her mother’s cousin, and thus went to Brigham City with her. On December 24, 1862, Johanne married Lars Jensen Halling and the two lived together in Brigham City. In Spring 1863, the two moved to Mantua, first to a log house and later in 1868 to a city lot. The couple had 8 children. On August 27, 1880, Johanne died following a 5 month battle with Bright’s disease. Biography compiled from records including Pioneer Women of Faith and Fortitude.