Donna J. Johnson

        Donna J. Johnson, 87, formerly Clear Lake, resident and former owner of Johnson Paint & Gifts, also formerly of Alexander, Rowan, and Goodell,  a long time resident of Meservey and most recently of the Manly Nursing and Rehabilitation Center died Monday, April 15, 2019, at the Manly Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Manly.

Funeral service was held on Friday, April 19, at First Reformed Church-Meservey.  The Rev. Rodney Meester officiated.  Burial was in the Alexander Cemetery.

Donna Jean Fjetland, the daughter of Dan J. and Sadie Van Buskirk Fjetland, was born Sept. 12, 1931 at Belmond.  She attended Klemme High School graduating in the Class of 1949.

      Donna was united in marriage to Merlin Johnson on Oct. 14, 1949.  Following their marriage the couple made their home in the Alexander area before moving to Clear Lake.  In Clear Lake, Donna and Merlin owned and operated the Johnson Paint and Gift Store from 1964-1991.  The couple later moved to Meservey in 1991.  Merlin worked as a security guard, while Donna had worked for Hensel Egg Plant and Aldinger’s Store, both in Alexander, Jim’s Paint Store, Belmond, and later went to work at True Value Farm and Home, in Belmond, where she was employed for many years.

       Following Merlin’s death in September 2008, Donna continued to live in Meservey for a number of years until her health deteriorated due to the effects of Alzheimer’s and Dementia and she required long term health care.

      Donna was very much a people person and was a wonderful, welcoming person to anyone who crossed in her life pathways.  She loved times spent traveling with Merlin and visiting their children wherever they resided.  She had been to Alaska several times to visit sons, Jeff and Randy.  Family was always a main focus in her life and she cared for her sisters over the years.  In early years, a favorite past time was bowling.

       Donna was a very generous lady who would do anything to help others.  She shared her passion and talents being the First Lady President of the Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce and she was a long time member of the Clear Lake Commodores, helping to promote all kinds of economic development, businesses, events and activities.

       She is survived by her sons, Randy Johnson, Anchorage, Alaska, and Jeff Johnson, Meservey, and Lake Louise, Alaska; grandson Brian Johnson, Anchorage, granddaughter, Laura Czech, Mendota Heights, Minn., great granddaughter Mariah Johnson, Anchorage; and great grandson, Roan Johnson, Anchorage; sisters, Betty Dungey, Osage, and Judy Peil, Alexander; along with several nieces and nephews.

  She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Merlin; son, Terry Johnson; six brothers and two sisters.

Andrews Funeral Home, Belmond, was in charge of arrangements.