Dawn Johnson

Dawn Johnson, age 61, of Wheaton, Minnesota passed away Saturday, December 31, 2022 at Sanford Hospital in Fargo, ND.

Funeral Services will be held Thursday, January 5, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at St. John Lutheran Church in Wheaton with Rev. Dan Gifford officiating.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, January 4th, from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. with a 5:00 p.m. Prayer Service and Time of Sharing at St. John Lutheran Church in Wheaton. Visitation will continue Thursday morning at the church, one hour prior to service time.

Burial will be at West Lakeside Cemetery, rural Wheaton, Minnesota at a later date. Pallbearers will be Doug Wilson, Gene Grazzini, Greg Grazzini, Jeremy Wheeler, Doug Norris, Ta'Ohe Norris, Hunter Norris, Trigg Norris and Gabe Hess. Honorary Pallbearers will be grandchildren: Bella, Oliver, August and Lilly; great-nephew Pryce; and great-niece Luna.

Dawn Marie Johnson was born on October 26, 1961 in Breckenridge, Minnesota. The first of four children, she had two sisters and one brother.

They grew up on a farm north of Wheaton, Minnesota. The family raised livestock, poultry and farmed.

Dawn attended and graduated from Wheaton High School in 1979. She was active in cheerleading and choir.

Dawn married Randy Johnson in 1982. From this union they had two sons, Jeremiah and Thayne. They resided in Wheaton.

Dawn was very involved and active in Wheaton and the surrounding communities. Just to name a few: blood drives, soup and sandwich suppers, and the ladies quilting group through the St. John Church. She also did Meals on Wheels; Wheaton Senior Center, Herman Pullman House and was the Activities Coordinator at the Traverse Care Center.

She was the President of the West Lakeside Cemetery Board. She also served on the Wheaton Park and Rec Board, Traverse County Fair Board and Wheaton Duck Days Board. She managed the Wheaton Ice Skating Rink, helped out at many community and school events, one of these being the Ducks Unlimited Banquets.

Dawn wore many hats working at local businesses: State Bank of Wheaton, Dale’s Steakhouse, Dairy Way, Dueber’s, Broadway Thrift and Wheaton Gazette News Lady to name a few.

Dawn’s Hobbies included crocheting, sewing, quilting, gardening and reading books. She sold her many handmade crafts at local craft and vendor shows in the area. She spent countless hours helping and tending to the ponds and flower gardens at the farm.

She enjoyed taking her morning coffee with friends in Wheaton and Rosholt. She looked forward to her lunch and celebratory events with her long-time friends and ones she had just met.

Dawn was very wealthy, not in money or material but rich in her love, kindness and compassion and spent it very foolishly by sharing it with all.

From a listening ear to a helping hand, from a big warm hug to a stern butt chewing you were going to get what you needed but didn’t necessarily want. She was always genuine, truthful and honest. This is why she made such a big impact in our little community and will be so dearly missed.

Dawn is preceded in death by her parents James R. (Jimmy) and Beverly Ann (Griggs) Johnson; grandparents: Louis and Myrtle Griggs; and Waldo and Gladys Johnson.

Dawn is survived by her children: Jeremiah (Erica) Johnson, Fargo; and Thayne Johnson, Wheaton; brother Robert Hess, Wheaton; sister Terrie Hess, Albany, OR; sister Camille (Doug) Hess-Norris, Alexandria; grandchildren: August, Lilly, Bella, and Oliver Johnson; nephews: Ta’Ohe Norris, Hunter (Nina) Norris, Trigg Norris, and Gabriel Hess; great-nephew Pryce Norris; and great-niece Luna Hess.

Memorials can be mailed to Jeremiah Johnson, 1330 3rd St. N., Fargo, ND 58102.