Patricia Ann Johnson

Pat was born on March 18, 1925 in Clay County. She was the second oldest of six children born to Omer and Marguerite (Parks) O’Hearn: Eugene O’Hearn, Pat, Joan Koenig, Janet Koenig, Janice Schultz, and Jacqueline Sorensen. Pat attended Summit Township #8 country school through the 7^th grade and went on to graduate from Spencer High School in 1943. While growing up on the farm west of Spencer, Pat could be found helping with chores and tending her younger siblings. She participated in 4-H as a young girl. Pat also had fond memories of going to the Clay County Fair every year. A fried chicken picnic was always part of the fun.

     On May 8, 1943 Pat was united in marriage to Magnus (Mag) Johnson in Sioux City, IA with close friends, Clarence and Mary Bendlin attending. They made their lifetime home in Spencer. They were blessed with two daughters: Judith (Melven) Janeksela and Linda (Kent) Patterson, 3 grandchildren (Bret and Amy Janeksela and Maggie Patterson), and 4 great-grandchildren (Caleb, Connor, Joshua, and Chloe), all very special to her. When her daughters were growing up Pat kept busy with sewing for them, being a Girl Scout leader, working at the original Ice Cream Sandwich stands at the Clay County Fair, Birthday Club, and in later years worked with the Genealogical Society in Spencer. After purchasing McPherson Grocery in 1961, Magnus and Pat worked hard to keep Johnson’s Grocery running for 43 years, meeting so many people, young and old, along the way. During this time, they were both avid followers of SHS sports, plays, and music, and were honored in January 1983 on Fan Appreciation Night as Spencer Tigers #1 Fans. They followed the Tigers to all their out of town games for years. Johnson’s Grocery has a new home now at the Clay County Fairgrounds as a nutty bar stand.

     Pat loved to travel. She and Magnus took in 49 of the 50 U.S. states and all the provinces in lower Canada. Hawaii remained the elusive state. They could be seen on many Farmer’s Bank trips from Jackpot Junction to an Alaskan cruise. During her trips Pat would purchase an ornament to remember that special place to grace her Christmas tree each year. Another collection you would find when visiting Pat was her Beanie Babies, some for every holiday and in-between. Before moving to Northshire in 2015, Pat could be seen at Carroll’s Bakery enjoying coffee and a sweet treat sometimes 6 times a week and one time at Hy-Vee.

     Pat really enjoyed the music events at Northshire and those involving children, as well as the special events. She liked striking up conversations with the residents and the friendly staff and aides. She continued to be an avid Cyclones, Hawkeyes, Twins, and Vikings fan.

     She was preceded in death by her husband, Magnus Johnson, her parents, Marguerite and Omer O’Hearn, her brother, Eugene O’Hearn, her sisters, Jacqueline Sorensen, Janice Schultz, Joan Koenig, and her daughter and son-in-law Melven and Judith Janeksela and infant grandsons Brent and Brant Janeksela.

     Left to cherish her memory are her daughter Linda (Kent) Patterson of Linn Grove, IA and granddaughter Maggie of Sioux Falls, SD, granddaughter Amy Janeksela, and great-grandson Caleb of Ely, MN, grandson Bret Janeksela and wife Jennifer and great-grandchildren Connor, Joshua, and Chloe of Winton, MN, sister Janet Koenig of Spencer, IA, and many nieces and nephews.

SERVICES

OFFICIATING

CASKET BEARERS

VISITATION

MUSIC

INTERMENT