Kathleen “Kathy” Johnson

Obituary

Kathleen Ann (Schmid) Johnson was born on November 21, 1949, in Springfield, MN, the only daughter of Ralph and Ann Marie (Drexler) Schmid. She received her education in Hector and graduated with the Hector High School Class of 1967. Following graduation, she worked briefly for Prudential Life in the Twin Cities and 3M in Hutchinson.

Kathy was united in marriage to Larry Johnson on February 15, 1969, at the Church of God in Hector. They shared 49 wonderful years of marriage and were blessed with three children, Kimberly, Deron, and Brian, and six grandchildren. Kathy lived her entire married life on their farm north of Hector and truly enjoyed being wife, mother, grandmother, homemaker, and friend to all. She was a longtime member of the Hector Church of God, and more recently was a member of the Litchfield Church of God.

When not handling the administrative responsibilities of Johnson Farms, Kathy was an active volunteer. She worked with the Hector Red Cross Bloodmobile for over 30 years, and was co-coordinator for much of that time. After the death of her daughter Kimberly due to cancer, she helped start the Relay for Life in Renville County and for many years was the top individual fundraiser. Kathy had a love for photography and was often asked to take supplemental candid photos at weddings and many other family gatherings. She also loved scrapbooking and was a Creative Memories consultant for many years. Always one to look her best all of the time, she was a Mary Kay cosmetics consultant for many years as well.

Kathy was blessed with a kind and patient disposition, lived with grace and courage, was loving and caring, and was grounded in common sense. As an only sister with four brothers, and having lost her only daughter, she was fortunate to have an abundance of girlfriends. Her “Fudge” Sisters, Gail, Linda, & Linda, enjoyed excursions every August for the past 28 years! Her “Crazy 8’s” high school friends have had multiple reunions of their own, and she loved having coffee with a group of local friends for almost 50 years! She had many dear friends who were also moms of her children’s friends, and her involvement in the Relay for life expanded her network of friends across the county!

Kathy was the perfect complement to Larry, and together they especially enjoyed traveling, which included many cruises from Alaska to the Panama Canal, a once in a lifetime trip to India, multiple trips with friends to Branson, and special vacations at the beach with family. Kathy loved her six grandchildren with all her heart and thoroughly enjoyed spending time with each one of them. She loved spoiling them at Birthdays and Christmas, attending their school and sports activities, and creating memories at the family lake home together!

On Saturday afternoon, October 13, 2018, Kathy passed away at Harmony River Living Center in Hutchinson, Minnesota, after a courageous 2 ½ year battle with ovarian cancer. She had reached the age of 68 years. Blessed be her memory!

Kathy is survived by her husband Larry Johnson, of Hector, MN; children Deron (Sally) Johnson of Hutchinson, MN, and Brian (Jessica) Johnson of Prosper, TX; grandchildren, Alyssa, Brooke, Carter, Juliana, Cameron, and Vanessa Johnson; brothers Robert (Joann) Schmid of Hutchinson, MN, Steven (Mary Ellen) Schmid of Prior Lake, MN, Richard (Bernie) Schmid of Phoenix, AZ, and Mark (Sandy) Schmid of Maple Grove, MN; father-in-law Frank Johnson of Hutchinson, MN, brother-in-law Wayne (Gwen) Johnson of Blomkest, MN, sister-in-law Vicki (Bill) Decker of Blue Ridge, GA, sister-in-law L. Kathy Johnson of Hutchinson, MN, and foreign exchange brother-in-law Richard (Delice) Lindgren of Sweden and Sri Lanka; nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Kathy was preceded in death by her daughter Kimberly Johnson, her parents Ralph and Ann Marie Schmid, and her mother-in-law Frances (Babe) Johnson.