Karen Johnson

Karen Kay Johnson, was born on August 3, 1948, in Marne, Iowa, to Carl and Iona “Mickey” Marxen Bornholdt. Education was important to Karen, and she laid the groundwork for her future at Brighton #8 Country School. She graduated from Atlantic High School in 1966 and pursued further studies at Iowa State University, focusing on Textiles and Clothing. Her creativity shone through in all her interests; they included designing, sewing, drawing, writing, reading, and refinishing old treasures. She had a talented hand when it came to caring for houseplants and flower gardens, which added beauty to her home. Her delightful collections of snow globes, Mickey Mouse items, old jewelry-especially pins-and kitchen and sewing tools were just a few things that showcased her flair for life.

Karen married Bill Johnson on November 30, 1968, at an afternoon church service in Atlantic, Iowa. The wedding dance was held at the Acova Ballroom in Avoca, where the two of them had met in 1965. Following their honeymoon trip they made it back to Iowa and started their new life together in their white house on the farm.

Throughout her life, Karen wore many hats. First and foremost, she was a caring mother and loving caregiver to her three cherished children: Alan, Kristin and Jerod. Karen poured her heart into being a homemaker, nurturing her family with delicious home-cooked meals and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. She was known to be easy-going and lively, with a personality that lit up the room; even her first-grade teacher once described her as "a little star that shines all the time." Her kindness was evident in her many community activities, where she served as the education chairman for the Shelby County Porkettes for five years, a proud 4-H leader for the Shelby Superstars, and was a Shelby County 4-H Aide from 1981 to 1982, making a difference in the lives of many youth in her area. Karen and Bill loved to dance together at the Acova Ballroom, sharing moments of joy and laughter that will forever echo in the hearts of those who knew them.

Active in all aspects of life on the farm, from the birth of piglets & calves, windrowing countless hours of alfalfa, fixing fence, hauling in harvest & occasionally stopping to make lunch for Bill & the crew. She 'delighted' in capturing those daily experiences in her journal, spanning 56 years of marriage, being a full-fledged farmer herself. Often scribing poems on the side of a dusty grain wagon with a cornstalk. This passion led to Karen & Bill being founding members of 'Writers Bloc', a group of local friends and creative writers, one even being a former teacher of Bill's and a later substitute teacher of Alan & Kris. They used these monthly brain-storming sessions as the catalyst for their self-published book, 'Once Upon A Farm: How To Look, Listen, Laugh & Survive' in '93, and the follow-up edition in 2005.

On April 30, 2025, our beloved Karen Johnson, peacefully passed away at the age of 76 years, 8 months and 27 days, surrounded by her loving family at the Heritage House in Atlantic, Iowa. Karen joins in heaven her mother and father Carl and Iona; brother Calvin and grandson Jackson Johnson. She leaves behind her husband Bill Johnson of Avoca, Iowa; children Alan Johnson and significant other Erica Guthrie of Kansas City, Missouri; Kristin Fox of Avoca, Iowa; Jerod and wife Amber Johnson of Avoca, Iowa; 4 grandchilren: Dakota Fox, Ellanor Johnson, Katie Johnson and Jorden Johnson; sister Sherry and husband Ken Duffey of Iowa City, Iowa; sister-in-law Roseanna Bornholdt of Ramona, California; other family and many friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials directed to them and they will donate to Youth Ag Education, one of Karen's many endeavors she devoted her life to.