Carol Johnson

A memorial service for Carol Johnson, age 78, of Spirit Lake, will be held Monday, January 30th at 10:30 AM at Crosswinds Church in Spirit Lake. Visitation will be on Sunday, January 29th from 3:00-5:00 PM at Turner Jenness Funeral Home in Spirit Lake. Carol Jean Johnson was born on February 16, 1938, in Sioux Rapids, Iowa, to parents Elmer and Annie Hanson. She went to Oak Park Academy for high school, and graduated from Tacoma Park Academy in Maryland. After spending two years at Union College in Lincoln, NE, she traveled to Loma Linda University in California to receive her nursing degree. During this time, Carol went on a double date with her boyfriend at the time. Ironically, the boy across the table caught her eye, and months later her mother encouraged her to reach out him. That man was Valoris Johnson, a good Adventist farm boy. After one date, he was smitten. Although Valoris was heading to Germany to serve in the army for sixteen months while she went to California, they exchanged letters every day. After living near each other for a year after Valoris returned to the US, they decided to get married on July 5, 1959, in Sioux Rapids, Iowa. After the wedding, they moved to Spirit Lake, Iowa, to Valoris' family farm, and Carol began working as a nurse at Dickinson County Memorial Hospital. They raised two children, Julie and Norvin, on the farm. Throughout her life, Carol lived a life of service to others, volunteering with Lakes Regional Hospital Auxiliary, Tree of Love, and many others. She was also actively involved with the Spencer Seventh-day Adventist Church. Her hobbies included teaching Sabbath School, sewing, baking, canning, and gardening. She also enjoyed taking care of her grandchildren, Cassie and Cody, as well as making special family dinners and creating wonderful memories. Carol's family will remember her as a spunky woman who was full of life and had a heart for helping others. She had high standards and enjoyed getting her hair done and dressing sharply. While determined and honest, she had a heart of gold and a twinkle in her eye that will be remembered by all who loved her. Carol passed away January 27, 2017 at the Heart Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota at seventy-eight years of age. She is preceded in death by infant son Brent, parents Elmer and Annie, sisters June, Violet, and Ruth, and brother Kenny. She is survived by her loving husband, Valoris Johnson, Jr., beloved daughter Julie Humphrey (Brad), son Norvin Johnson (Nancy), special granddaughter Cassie Johnson, favorite grandson Cody Johnson, and cherished step-granddaughters, Kayla, Krista, Britta and Tessa DeGeest, brother, Wayne Hanson as well as many nieces, nephews, friends and other loved ones. All who loved her will aspire to live out her faith, vigor, and energy, in order to allow her legacy to continue forever.