Karen Maureen Johnson

life story

Karen loved the outdoors, animals, nature, and was a friend to all that knew her.

She had a special smile and a way of making you glad to be her friend. She could light up a room with her warmth and great sense of humor.

Karen was an extraordinary and fun loving person.

Karen was born in Minneapolis to the parents of Arnold and Dorothy Johnson on May 11, 1950. She grew up in Savage, MN, and graduated from Burnsville Senior High School in 1968. After graduation, she worked at the Savage State Bank for a short time. Later that same year, she started working at Thermo King in Bloomington, MN in the Purchasing Department, and later transitioned to the Engineering Department. She worked at Thermo King for 33 years and loved working there with her fellow employees, and gained many lasting friendships. She married her husband Dan on December 23, 1976 just in time to give her parents the wedding certificate as a surprise Christmas gift. She retired from Thermo King in 2001. Her husband Dan also employed by Thermo King, retired after 33 years in 2002 so they could do some traveling in their motorhome.

Karen loved her yard work and gardening, and she loved her John Deere tractor for mowing and blowing snow. A few people started calling her “The Tractor Lady.” She also loved playing Bingo, going to the casinos, and playing Wordchums on her phone. She especially loved traveling to Yellowstone, the Black Hills, Colorado Springs, CO, California wine country, and Coeur d’Alene, ID in the motorhome. She also enjoyed short weekend camping trips with neighbors and relatives.

Karen lived with Rheumatoid Arthritis for much of her life and was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s a few short years ago. As a result, Dan and Karen sold their home and moved to Faribault, MN, to a senior living facility. She made the best of life's challenges by trying to wear out a few wheelchairs on the Sakatah State Trail. Weather permitting, she would go all the way to Warsaw, MN some 8 miles away several times per week. She always enjoyed the outdoors. In the end, Alzheimer’s attacked her mobility and her ability to speak. Karen passed away October 11, 2024 due to complications from Alzheimer’s. She will be sadly missed.

She is survived by her husband Dan Johnson, sister Julie Johnson-Vossen, brothers Keith Johnson, Todd Johnson (Jennifer), Arnie Johnson (Dianna), Stepson Lonnie Johnson (Jennifer), sisters-in-law Dianne Johnson-Bagley, Jeanne Brenny, brother-in-law Steven Haugh (Bridget), and many nieces and nephews.

She is proceeded in death by her parents Arnold and Dorothy Johnson, sister Susan Dailey, brothers-in-law Terrance Dailey, Thomas Vossen, Douglas Brenny, Daniel Bagley, and Stepchildren Vicki Johnson-Bryars, and Ronald Johnson.

memorial service

There will be a celebration of life for Karen.

November 9, 2024

Savage American Legion Club 12375 Princeton Ave, Savage, MN 55378, USA

There will be a celebration of life held at the Savage American Legion at 12375 Princeton Ave, Savage, MN on November 9th, 2024, at 6:00 to 10:30 in the Banquet Room. A light meal with coffee and fruit punch will be provided. A cash bar will be open.