Jean Johnson

Martha “Jean” Johnson, 97, passed away peacefully on September 20, 2023 at Sugarloaf Senior Living in Winona. She was born on December 20, 1925 to Charles and Della Smith in Decatur, Illinois. Jean grew up in the town of Monticello, Illinois, a place that remained dear to her heart throughout her life. After graduating from Monticello High School, she did office work for the State of Illinois in Springfield and danced with USO shows on a US tour. She married Ira Richard “Dick” Johnson in 1948. They started married life in Jacksonville, Illinois, continuing on to the south suburbs of Chicago, beginning in Park Forest, then Steger, and finally living in Chicago Heights from 1966 until 1990. In 1990, they moved to Winona, Minnesota for the summer months and Destin, Florida for the winter months. While Jean’s primary role was as a wife and mother, she returned to work when their two children reached upper elementary school. The bulk of her career was spent at Prairie State Junior College in Chicago Heights, beginning her employment there as a payroll clerk and working her way up to the position of administrative assistant to the vice president.

Jean loved her family and is remembered first and foremost as a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Jean loved her church. She grew up in the Methodist church and it was big part of her life to the end. She sang in the choir at the Methodist church in Chicago Heights and actively participated in church activities and groups. She loved music and passed an appreciation for the value of music on to her children. Jean and Dick enjoyed ballroom dancing, playing bridge, and travelling. They treasured their time at the condo in Destin, Florida and the friends they made there. Jean also came to know and love Winona, finding friendship and support in the local widow’s groups after Dick passed away in 1997. Those who knew Jean experienced a person who was filled with the joy of life, always greeting those she met with a warm and welcoming smile. She was caring, compassionate, and generous. Many will miss her presence in their lives.

Jean is survived by her two children, Steven Johnson of Kingwood, Texas and Catherine Schmidt of Winona, Minnesota; her three grandchildren, Erik Johnson of Lee, New Hampshire, David Ruff of Winona, Minnesota, and Jennifer Schmidt of Madison, Indiana; and her three great-grandchildren, Erik Johnson Jr. and Crosby, both of Lee, New Hampshire, and Lydia Ruff of Winona, Minnesota.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Della Smith and her husband, Dick Johnson.

Visitation will be held at Wesley United Methodist Church at 10:00 AM on Saturday, October 7^th, followed by a Memorial service at 11:00 AM. Dr. Robert Hicks and Reverend Tori Hicks will officiate. Hoff Funeral and Cremation Services, Winona, are assisting the family with arrangements—www.hofffuneral.com

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Wesley United Methodist Church of Winona.

The family wishes to express their deepest appreciation and gratitude for the loving care given to Jean by all the staff at Sugarloaf Senior Living over the past five and a half years and to Winona Health Hospice for all the comfort and care they provided in her last few weeks of life.