Kathleen Johnson, of Goodridge, MN, passed away in her sleep, for reasons unknown, Friday, January 18, 2019 at her residence at Poplar Meadows in McIntosh, MN, at the age of 73.

Funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, January 23, 2019 at Bethany Lutheran Church, rural Thief River Falls, MN, with Rev. Kristin Ostercamp officiating. Interment will follow at Reiner Cemetery, rural Goodridge, MN.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM, with a 7:30 PM Prayer Service on Tuesday, January 22, 2019 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN. Visitation will also take place one hour prior to the funeral service on Wednesday at the church.

Kathleen Elaine Johnson was born to Kore and Mathilda Hanson on June 17, 1945, in Thief River Falls, Minnesota.

The Hanson family made their home in rural Goodridge, MN before moving into town. Goodridge is where Kathy spent her childhood, where she was baptized and confirmed into the Lutheran Faith and where she attended school. The youngest of five children, she spent her time with her siblings as well as many friends in the area. As a young girl, she learned the value of hard work through her parents. She watched and helped as her parents managed the local café in town. After High School, she attended cosmetology school in Thief River Falls.

Kathy became a mother early, and in time welcomed six girls into this world.

In 1971, she married Daniel Johnson. The Johnson family established their home near the Kratka Bridge southwest of Goodridge. For many years, this home served as a cherished gathering place for family and friends. Kathy was a lively hostess who made all who entered her home feel loved. She shared her gift of cooking and baking with many people and was always quick to have a special meal or treat ready for visitors. Her nieces, nephews and grandchildren have fond memories of their time at the Johnson farm, as do many others.

Kathy, Danny and their girls operated a crop farm for nearly two decades. She was the family's primary caregiver, worked in the fields, raised chickens and had a large garden. She spent countless hours tending to her garden and preserving her harvests. To this day, her girls have vivid memories of her butchering the chickens when it was time and still laugh at the thought.

Kathy shared her time and talents with many people in her community. She was known as a helpful and caring neighbor and reliable member of the Ladies Aid at Bethany Lutheran Church and the Kratka Township 4-H. She served as the Superintendent of the Bethany Church Sunday School and was very involved in the activities of her girls. A talented seamstress, she made clothes for her family, baby blankets for grandchildren and crocheted dish clothes and scrubbies for friends.

Her smile and laugh were full of light. She was quick-witted and loved a good joke. She liked to have fun and enjoyed playing games, snowmobiling and dancing among many other activities. Kathy also worked hard in various positions around Thief River Falls including stocking shelves at Kmart, being a spunky waitress at Dee's Kitchen, and a dedicated worker in food service at the hospital. Above all, she treasured her time spent with family and friends.

In addition to being a loving parent, aunt and grandparent, she was a devoted daughter. She played an integral role in caring for her parents throughout their lives, especially as they grew older.

Kathy's life story was composed of many chapters. The thread that connected them all, and always remained strong, was her unwavering dedication to her daughters. Many knew Sheryl, Starr, Rose, Bonita, April and Mandi as "Kathy's Girls." The pride she held for her girls was rooted deep within her heart and was on display to everyone she met.

Kathy is survived by her brother, Kenny (Peggy) Hanson; sister, Margaret Peterson; her children, Sheryl (Dennis) Benz, Starr (Jim) Crowley, Rose (Jon Welch) Johnson, Bonita (Tim) Wayne, April (Tom) Ballard and Mandi (Tucker) Hibbert; 12 grandchildren, Garrett, Dustin, Jonathon, Amber, Jennifer, Cody, Miranda, Tyler, Brandon, Victor, Samantha and Elaina; 23 great-grandchildren, Gavin, Grant, Gage, Chloe, Blair, Harlow, Hadley, Mason, Tia, Dakota, Caitlin, Isaac, Dylan, Emma, Ava, Sydney, Brittyn, Eli, Emmit, BayLeigh, Danika, Elyn and Karys.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Kore and Mathilda Hanson; siblings Beulah Hanson and Edvin Hanson; and 2 granddaughters, Nicole Wayne and Jacqueline Van Lith.