Judy Ann Johnson, 65, of Burlington, died Thursday, Jan. 14, 2010, at the Great River Hospice House in West Burlington after a long and courageous battle with cancer.
Born Aug. 19, 1944, in Burlington, she was the daughter of John K. and Kathleen “Kay” R. Brust Garnant. On April 8, 1961, she married her best friend, Wayne N. Johnson in Burlington.
The majority of Judy’s career was spent at the Winegard Company, where she worked her way up early on from production to being a valued member of the HR team for the past two decades.
She graduated from Burlington High School in 1961 and attended Southeastern Community College.
She was a member of Ss. Mary & Patrick Catholic Church, West Burlington. She enjoyed the outdoors, cooking, sewing, crafting, camping, gardening, boating, playing cards, bowling and horse races. She was an avid pet lover and an Elvis Presley fan. Most importantly, however, Judy valued her husband, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Survivors include her husband, Wayne; her mother, Kay Garnant of Burlington; three daughters, Joni (Mitch) Smith of Cumming, Georgia, Kimberly (Carlos) Capdevila of Burlington, and Amy (Grant) Bonta of Belleville, Ill.; three sons, Jeff (Morgan) Johnson of Overland Park, Kan., Rick (Kelly) Johnson of Marion, and Randy (Paulette) Johnson of Burlington; goddaughter, Traci Johnson of Olathe, Kan.; 16 grandchildren, Jami (Shaun), Kristal, Lindsey, Nicholas, Kelsey, Brayden, Blake, Courtney, Kyla, Payton, Elle, Nicole, Ryan, Carter, Chandler, and Camden; five great-grandchildren, Ryan, Chloe, Logan, Caden, and Raylin; her mother-in-law, Rayne Johnson of Burlington; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents, her father, John Garnant, her father-in-law, Warren Johnson, and one granddaughter, Alejandra Capdevila.
Visitation will be from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. with the family to receive friends following a 5:30 p.m. Rosary Service until 8 p.m. Monday, Jan. 18, 2010 at the Hass-Thielen Funeral Home.
The Memorial Mass of the Resurrection for Judy will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2010, at Ss. Mary & Patrick Catholic Church, with Father David Steinle as the celebrant and Father Patrick Hilgendorf as concelebrant. Music will be provided by the Des Moines County Resurrection Choir. Inurnment will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery. A time of food and fellowship will be held at the Hass-Thielen Community Room following the inurnment.
In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established for the Burlington Humane Society and Great River Hospice House.
One of Judy’s treasures is an old portrait that she and Wayne picked out. It was called “Trail’s End.” Painted on canvas was an old Native American warrior, sitting on his horse at the edge of a great canyon and looking out over the land. Judy, too, was a brave warrior and Wayne, her steady horse. Judy has reached the end of her trail, after a lifetime of adventures, battles and achievements. Her life will always be remembered as one filled with courage and love.
A photo tribute can be viewed and condolences can be sent to the family by visiting Judy’s obituary at www.hassthielen.com.
