Kathleen "Kathy" Johnson

Kathleen "Kathy" Patricia (neé Newman) Johnson passed away unexpectedly at Veterans Administration (VA) Medical Center in Fargo, ND, under palliative hospice care, with family by her side, on Saturday, January 22, 2022, after what was thought to be mild, and slow advancing leukemia, had suddenly and aggressively progressed.

Kathy was born in Tiffin, OH, on August 6, 1946. She attended St. Mary's Catholic School, and graduated from Calvert Catholic High School, in Tiffin, in 1964. Kathy attended St. John's College in Cleveland, OH, and, at the height of the Vietnam conflict and Cold War, earned her bachelor's degree in 1968.

Compelled by her love of country, her core values of duty and patriotism, and learning her brother had completed a tour of duty in Vietnam with the United States Army, prior to graduation, Kathy enrolled in the United States Naval Women Officers School at the United States Naval Base in Newport, RI in 1967.

Having graduated from St. John's, Kathy completed her Naval Officer Training with the rank of Lieutenant in 1968, and was deployed to the United States Naval Hospital in San Diego, CA, where she demonstrated superior performance as a staff nurse. Her commanding officer had selected her for permanent P.M. Duty Charge Nurse of the Medical Intensive Care Unit after she exhibited excellent managerial and leadership ability, with knowledge in both professional and technical skills, and the ability to establish rapport with peers, enlisted staff, supervisors, and patients. Because Kathy was considered an asset to the Unit, she was recommended for promotion, and was reassigned overseas to the United States Naval Hospital on Guam, in 1971, where she met her husband of 37 years, Bradley "Brad" Johnson, of Moorhead.

After their wedding in Kathy's hometown of Tiffin, in August of 1972, the couple set down roots in Moorhead, when Kathy accepted a nursing position in the Neuro Intensive Care Unit at St. Luke's Hospital in Fargo. In July 1976, the couple welcomed their first son, Brian, followed by a second son, Kevin, in November of 1979.

Kathy continued her nursing career at St. Luke's Hospital-Fargo Clinic-MeritCare in Fargo, moving into supervisory positions in Internal Medicine and Oncology, assisting with the latter department's creation of, and transition to, the Roger Maris Cancer Center, followed by a nursing position with MeritCare Homecare, and ultimately retiring from her career in nursing in the Home Healthcare Division of Clay County Public Health in 2008.

As an active member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Moorhead, Kathy renewed, and kept current for several years after her retirement from Clay County Public Health, her Registered Nursing Licensure, taking over for her mentor as St. Joseph's Parish Faith Community Nurse in 2011. Kathy not only established health initiatives within the St. Joseph's Parish Community, she mentored nursing students at Concordia College in Moorhead, a role she considered herself particularly blessed to be asked to do. She remained St. Joseph's Parish Nurse until "officially" retiring in 2015.

In retirement, Kathy remained a fellowship leader at St. Joseph's. Regularly attending Mass on Saturday at 5:00 p.m., she served the Eucharist as Communion Captain. An avid knitter, Kathy led St. Joseph's Prayer Shawl Ministry, ensuring their shawls and blankets were always blessed prior to receipt by their beneficiaries.

Kathy continued her love of travelling the world that she had begun during the late 1960s, while serving in the U.S. Navy. With dear friends, she embarked on cruises annually, giving her more opportunities to see the world and create life-long memories. When she returned from her voyages she always brought with her thoughtful mementos for friends and family, and would enthusiastically relay the unique stories behind their souvenirs.

Kathy was preceded in death by her brother, David W. Newman (1982) of Toledo; father, J.W.W. Newman (1989); mother, Olga "Betty" (neé DeShurko) Newman (1990) both of Tiffin; and husband, Brad Johnson (2010) of Moorhead. She is survived by sons, Brian Johnson of Moorhead, and Kevin Johnson of Pine, CO; nieces, Mia Haglund of Vergas, MN, and Christy Moberg of Barnesville, MN.

Visitation will be held in Korsmo Funeral Chapel, at Korsmo Funeral and Cremation Service, located at 409 8th Street South in Moorhead, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., followed by a prayer service at 7:00 p.m., Monday, January 31, 2022. The Requiem Funeral Mass of Catholic Burial will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church, located at 218 10th Street South in Moorhead, at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, February 1, 2022. Interment with military honors, will be held at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, 7601 34th Avenue South in Minneapolis, MN, at 11:30 a.m., Wednesday, February 2, 2022.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be given to the Sister Doreen Endowment Fund at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Moorhead, and/or the Fargo-Moorhead Area Foundation Women's Fund in Fargo.