Judy Diane Johnson, 79, of Battle Lake, died Sunday, March 8, 2026 at Cherrywood Assisted Living in St. Cloud.
Judy (Herness) Johnson was born July 8, 1946 in Fergus Falls the daughter of Lyman and Fern (Winters) Herness. She grew up on the family farm in Clitherall Township, rural Battle Lake where her first love was the horses her dad kept for the children.
She was baptized and confirmed at Bethel Lutheran Church rural Dalton. She attended school through 8th grade at District 285, rural Battle Lake. She graduated from Battle Lake High School in 1964.
She married David Johnson, the love of her life, in June of 1966. They were blessed with two children, Blaine and Lisa.
She worked for Aetna Insurance Co in Minneapolis, Ottertail Power Co and Coca-Cola Bottling Company for 32 years. In 1999 she began part time employment with Nelson Ford.
They lived in Fergus Falls for 28 years. In November of 1994 she and her husband moved to their Eagle Lake home, rural Battle Lake. She enjoyed watching and feeding birds, country music, and pontoon rides on the lake. Her greatest joy was her family.
She retired September, 2007 and she and her husband started to do some traveling in the winter months in their motor home. She was a member of Zion Free Lutheran Church of Dalton. She lost her soulmate, David, on May 26th, 2019.
She was preceded in death by her husband, David; parents, Lyman and Fern Herness; brother, Jerry Herness; sister, Donna Herness; sister, Janet Kugler; son-in-law, Randy Hohbein; brothers-in-law, Harley Thompson, Dennis Johnson, Daryl Johnson; father and mother-in-law, Chester and Alpha Johnson.
She is survived by her son, Blaine, and his boys Cody and Jacob of Waite Park; daughter, Lisa Hohbein and her girls Rilee and Makenna of Holdingford, MN; sister, LaVay Thompson of Battle Lake; sisters-in-law, Nancy Anderson of Savage, Jennifer (Tyler) Erickson of Trinidad, CO and Cindy Johnson and Marlys Johnson of Fergus Falls; brothers-in-law, Perry Kugler of Battle Lake, Darwin (Diane) Johnson and Dean Johnson all of Fergus Falls, Duane (Janna) Johnson of Savage, and many nieces and nephews.
Per Judy's request there will not be a public service. Family only graveside service at Zion Free Lutheran Church in Dalton. She will be cremated and her urn will be placed on top of her husband's casket.
Arrangements provided by Olson Funeral and Cremation in Fergus Falls.
Online condolences may be sent to www.olsonfuneralhome.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
711 Pebble Lake Road, Fergus Falls, MN 56537

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