Donna C. Johnson

Donna Cheryl Johnson, 72, of La Crescent, MN passed away peacefully at home on September 20, 2026 with her daughter Michelle by her side after an extended illness.

Donna was born on June 21st, 1954 to Leslie and Bernice (Bauer) Lange in La Crosse, WI. After graduating from La Crescent High School in 1972, she married Stanley Johnson of Caledonia before moving to Germany, where she worked in food service for the Army while he was stationed there. Upon his discharge they moved to La Crescent to begin building their family.

Donna worked in a variety of jobs, including at the sprout farm, apple orchard, and home health care. She also spent considerable time volunteering with the church and American Legion. She did this while maintaining the home and building a beautiful life for their three children. They expanded that family by three in 1989 when her sister Sharon’s children joined what she would call “The Brady Bunch”. She instilled in all of us a sense of discipline and being a loving and supportive part of the family.

She truly was one of a kind. She felt everything with you. If things were going great, she was your biggest cheerleader. If you were struggling, she felt that more than she probably should have. She might do this for anybody, but above all was fiercely loyal to her family.

Donna will be remembered for her kind gentle nature, free spirit, selfless giving heart, and stubborn sense of independence that stayed with her until her last days. She was always going to do things her way.

Donna is survived by her children and grandchildren: Toni Duce (Mark) of Hokah and their children Riley Ulbrich (Jordan and great grandchild Bella), Brandon, Isabel, Genia, Lucas, Carson, Ashtyn, and Parker; Jeremy Johnson (Nicole) of Hokah, and their children Lauren, Leyton, and Lucas; Anthony Johnson (Emily) of Sioux Falls, SD, and their children William and Claire; Michelle Hendrickson (Jared) of French Island, WI, and their children Jax, Julia, and Myles; and siblings Ray, Judy, Joan, Kathy, Dan, Deb, and Mike.

She was preceded in death by her husband Stan, sisters Sharon and Rose, and brothers Jim and Rick, as well as her parents.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Saturday, November 28th at 11am at Crucifixion Church in La Crescent, with visitation at 10am. Rev. John L. Evans, II will officiate. Burial will take place at Crucifixion Cemetery in La Crescent immediately after, with luncheon to follow.