Katherine "Kay" L. Johnson

Katherine “Kay” Johnson

April 6, 1931 – December 9, 2019

Katherine “Kay” Lorraine Johnson, age 88, of Park Rapids, MN passed away on Monday, December 9, 2019, at Diamond Willow Assisted Living in Park Rapids.

Kay was born on April 6, 1931, in Minneapolis, MN to John and Rose (Strandberg) Peterson.  As a young girl, she lived in Minnetonka and graduated from Hopkins, MN in 1949.  After high school, she began working for Dayton’s Department Store in the Tea Room.  On July 26, 1950, she was married to her high school sweetheart, Theodore “Ted” Johnson.  They were blessed with three boys: Jeff, Mark and Scott. Along with caring for her growing family, Kay also worked for Deveau Bus Service as a school bus driver in Minnetonka.  In 1970, they moved to Park Rapids, MN and bought Rapids Radio and TV.  After selling the business, Kay began working for Heritage Living Center, first as an aide and later as a driver, retiring in the early 1990’s.  After Ted passed away in 2004, Kay decided to move to Summerfield Place Apartments in Park Rapids.  Recently, she lived at Diamond Willow Assisted Living.

Kay had many hobbies and interests.  She was a tireless sports cheerleader for her children and grandchildren, attending every activity possible to root them on. Sunday afternoons she could be found in front of the TV, fingers crossed for a Vikings’ win. She was an active member of the Osage Senior Citizens Center for many years and enjoyed volunteering in the community.  Kay had a passion for reading and always had the newest James Patterson or Mary Higgins Clark novel close at hand. Above all, Kay will be remembered for her positive outlook, her kindness, and her ability to find a reason to be happy even on the worst of days. 

Kay will be lovingly remembered by her children: Jeff (Diane), Mark (Mary) and Scott (Kerry); six grandchildren:  Matt, Amber, Sheila, Jeremiah, Ian and Maya; five great-grandchildren:  Chasity, Chase, Josie, Olivia and Karina; two sisters-in-law: Bev Kinney and Karen Peterson; three nieces and nephews as well as other relatives and many special friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, an infant daughter and her brother, Roger.

A celebration of Kay’s life will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Thursday, December 19, 2019, at Grace Community Church in Osage, MN with Reverend Paul McKibben officiating.  Visitation will be held for one hour prior to the service at the church. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Katherine "Kay" L. Johnson, please visit our floral store.