Donna M Johnson

Donna Mae (Wickstrom) Johnson, age 88, a life long Park Rapids, MN area resident peacefully passed into eternal life on Sunday, March 29, 2015 at the Oak Crossing Nursing Home in Detroit Lakes surrounded by her loved ones. Donna was born on May 6, 1926 in Park Rapids, MN to Clarence and Anna (Terhark) Wickstrom. She attended public school in Park Rapids, graduating from high school with the Class of 1943. Donna went on to attend Park Rapids Teachers Training School graduating in 1944. She then taught for several years at rural schools in Hubbard and Straight River township schools. She was united in marriage to Roger Johnson on March 24, 1945. They were blessed with two children: Ricky and Karen. Shortly after their marriage, they moved to a farm in Straight River Township where they farmed for 17 years on the family farm. In 1962, they moved into Park Rapids where Donna gained employment as a certified nursing assistant and ward clerk at St. Joseph's Hospital in Park Rapids for a number of years. Donna was a long time and faithful member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Park Rapids. As a child, she was baptized and confirmed there. For many years she served as a Sunday School teacher and superintendent. She was also involved with the ladies aid where she served as chairwoman. She especially loved to sing in the choir. She is survived by her two children: Ricky Johnson of Concord, CA and Karen (Charles) Boyer of Frazee, MN; her five grandchildren: Kristine (Mark) Spadgenske, Kimberly (Andrew) Tapper, Scott (Tabitha) Boyer, Aaron (Sarah) Boyer and Alicia (Antonio) Oceguera; her eighteen precious great-grandchildren: Ryan, Kate, Adam and Seth Spadgenske; Nissa, Coen, Brolle, Linnea and Soren Tapper; William, Caleb and Larissa Boyer; Joshua and Madison Boyer, Diego and Elena Oceguera, and Nicole and Thomas Sadler, as well as special family members, Art and Kathy Yliniemi and their daughter, Debra. Donna was preceded in death by her husband Roger in 1996; her parents; her grandson, Michael Sadler; and her daughter-in-law, Audrey Johnson. Memorial services will be held at 3:00 PM on Saturday, April 4, 2015 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Park Rapids with the Rev. James Neubauer and Rev. Tim Heinecke officiating. The organist will be Sara Kaufenberg and the soloist will be her granddaughter, Kristine Spadgenske who will sing, "In the Garden". The urnbearers will be Donna's grandchildren: Kristine Spadgenske, Kimberly Tapper, Scott Boyer, Aaron Boyer and Alicia Oceguera. Interment will be made in the Greenwood Cemetery. Visitation will begin one hour prior to the service at the church. St. John's Lutheran Church will host a luncheon following the service. To leave online condolences or to view the video tribute please visit www.jonespearson.com.