Dr. Michelle Kay Johnson (Walen), PhD

Dr. Michelle K. Johnson went home to be with her Lord and Savior on November 17, 2024. 

Michelle was born to Bruce and Susan Walen on October 31, 1968. She married Dr. Steven Johnson on April 16, 2004 at Wooddale Church in Eden Prairie. Michelle graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Minnesota and later graduated with a Master of Arts in Theological Studies, a Master of Divinity, and a Doctor of Philosophy Theology and Apologetics from Liberty University. 

She enjoyed studying God’s word, writing, and editing, and helped cowrite two books, “Why Creation Still Matters” and “Strong Faith – 5 Questions and Answers Every Christian Should Know.” She was also the Executive Vice President and Managing Editor of Bellator Christi Ministries, publisher and contributor. She was also actively involved with writing and editing Wooddale Church’s global partner newsletters. 

Michelle loved to travel with her husband to Montana, and cruising among other places. She enjoyed reading and sharing a cup of coffee with her friends and family. 

Michelle is survived by her husband, Dr. Steven Johnson; her dad, Bruce Walen (Marilyn Christiansen); sister, Noelle (Jim) Starr; brother-in-law, Markley Johnson; nieces, Maya (Wael) Awada, Remi Starr, Abby (Blake) Stebbins, and Nichole Johnson; nephew, Zachariah (Bethany) Johnson; father-in-law, Dr. Donald (Kathy) Johnson; and two sweet great-nieces, Taya and Teagan. 

She was preceded in death by her mother, Susan Walen; her grandparents; and mother-in-law, Karen Johnson. 

A visitation will be held from 5-7pm, Friday, November 22, 2024 at Mankato Mortuary (1001 N. Riverfront Drive, Mankato, MN 56001). Private graveside service will be at Olena Mound Cemetery in Buffalo Center, Iowa. Memorial service will be 11 am, Tuesday, December 17, 2024 at Wooddale Church (6630 Shady Oak Road, Eden Prairie, MN 55344). Please share a memory of Michelle with her family at www.mankatomortuary.com.  Livestream available at: https://www.wooddale.org/events . 

The family prefers memorials be directed to either Wooddale Church’s Global Missions or Community Chapel Missions in Lakota, Iowa.