Donald A Johnson

Donald Allan Johnson, 85, of Scottsdale, Arizona, passed away on November 7, 2025 at the Eckstein Center for Hospice of the Valley after a courageous battle with cancer. He was an amazing son, brother, husband, uncle, cousin, and friend. He was born to Lyle and Olive Johnson on March 18, 1940 in Leola, South Dakota. He grew up in Mitchell, SD where he graduated from high school in 1958. He then graduated from Augustana University in Sioux Falls, SD in 1963. Following graduation from Augustana, he served for the US Army Security Agency in Germany for four years. After his military service, he worked for NBC in Burbank, CA for 14 years. He then married his college sweetheart, Karen Jessen. They moved to Scottsdale, AZ in 1980 where Don worked in various fields of Real Estate. Don was an active member of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church. He was an avid reader, loved carving and working with wood, and also enjoyed gardening, hunting, fishing, and traveling. His quick wit and humor will be missed by many friends and family. He was preceded in death by his parents, older brother David, nephew Erik, in-laws Hans and Thelma Jessen, brother-in-law Jerome Jessen, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. He is survived by his wife Karen, sister-in-law Karen Johnson of Mpls., brother-in-law Hans Jessen (Jan) of Mesa AZ, brother-in-law Kerry Jessen of Iowa City, niece Tracy Rattner of Mesa, and nephew Blair Jessen of Boise, ID. The family will be having a celebration of life at a later date. The family would like to thank the 5th floor at Osborn Hospital and Eckstein Hospice of the Valley for the wonderful care they gave Don. Memorials may be made to Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Augustana University, or Hospice of the Valley.