Kathleen M "Kathy" Johnson

Kathleen "Kathy" M. Johnson, 77, of Aberdeen, SD, passed away Saturday, May 31, 2025, at Prairie Heights, Aberdeen, SD.
A Celebration of Life will be 11:00 a.m., Friday, June 6, 2025, at Zion Lutheran Church, Aberdeen, SD, with Pastor Nicole Martin officiating.
A time of fellowship and luncheon will follow the service at the church hall.
Burial will be at Riverside Memorial Park Cemetery following the luncheon.
Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service.
Schriver's Memorial Mortuary and Crematory, 414 5th Avenue NW, Aberdeen, is in charge of arrangements. Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at www.schriversmemorial.com. Services will be recorded and posted on Schriver's website following the service.
Kathleen "Kathy" Marie (Schmidt) Johnson, a woman known for her deep faith, generous spirit, and enduring love for her family, was born on January 7, 1948, in Aberdeen, South Dakota, to Leopold "Leo" and Catherine (Feist) Schmidt. The youngest of eleven children, Kathy was baptized at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. She attended St. Mary's Parochial School and graduated from Aberdeen Central High School.
On June 5, 1966, Kathy married Edward Johnson in Aberdeen. Together, they had four children: Michael, Fred, Marsha, and Mary Ellen. Their daughter, Mary Ellen, was born on August 11, 1967, and passed away at just eight weeks old. Though her time on earth was brief, Mary Ellen remained a constant presence in Kathy's heart-her very first angel and perhaps the reason Kathy found such comfort in collecting angel figurines throughout her life. She and Edward raised their three surviving children in Aberdeen.
On February 14, 1982, she married Garry Johnson. Their bond brought not only lasting love but also the joy of welcoming a child together, Amanda.
That same year, Kathy found a new spiritual home at Zion Lutheran Church. Her deep and abiding faith inspired her to serve joyfully on numerous committees-including finance, welcoming, calling, and baptismal ministries. She especially took pride in lovingly sewing baptismal cloths for new members, each stitch reflecting her love and care for her faith community.
Kathy spent 29 devoted years working as a cook at Northern State University. She was known not only for her hard work but for the warmth and generosity she extended to everyone she encountered. Whether offering a hot meal, a kind word, or simply a smile, Kathy made people feel welcome and valued.
In her free time, she enjoyed reading, cooking, and playing cards. She had a special fondness for collecting angels and butterflies-symbols of peace, transformation, and faith that reflected her gentle spirit.
Family was Kathy's greatest joy. She cherished every moment spent with her siblings, husband, children, grandchildren, great-grandchild, nieces, nephews, and cousins. Her love for them was evident in everything she did, and she took immense pride in their lives and accomplishments.
Those who were blessed to share in Kathy's life are her husband, Garry of Aberdeen; her children: Michael (Theresa) Johnson and Fred (Danielle) Johnson, both of Aberdeen, SD, Marsha (Tim) Ricciardi of Plymouth, MA, and Amanda Johnson of Aberdeen, SD; her sisters, Margaret Dutenhoffer and Darlene (Jim) Johnson, both of Aberdeen, SD; Sister-in-law Fran Mock of Bismark, ND; twelve grandchildren: Heather, Jami, Shawn, Alexandria, Zachary, Andrew, Danika, Jevon, Isabella, RyLynn, Tatyn, and Zaidyn; one great-grandchild, Odin; and many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.
Kathy was preceded in death by her parents, her infant daughter, Mary Ellen (August 11, 1967 – October 16, 1967), and her siblings: Josephine, Angeline, Irene, Gertrude, Mary, Leo, Edward, and Fred.
The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the staff of Prairie Heights Healthcare, Avera St. Luke's Hospital Palliative, and Hospice Care teams for their compassion, kindness, and unwavering support during Kathy's final days.
Kathy's legacy lives on in the faith she shared, the family she cherished, and the countless lives she touched with quiet grace and enduring love. As she joins her beloved Mary Ellen and other loved ones in eternal rest, may her spirit be surrounded by the angels she so lovingly collected-symbols of the peace and beauty she brought to this world.
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