Linda M. Johnson

Monday, December 20, 2021 11:17 pm

Linda Marie Johnson, age 65 of Ridgeway, passed away surrounded by friends and family at the Franciscan Mayo Clinic Hospital in La Crosse, Wis., on Dec. 17, 2021.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 23, 2021, at Decorah Lutheran Church in Decorah with Rev. Peter Kowitz officiating. Burial will be in Washington Prairie Lutheran Cemetery in rural Decorah.Visitation will be from 4:00-6:00 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 22 at Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah, and on Thursday beginning at 10 a.m., one hour before the service, at Decorah Lutheran Church.

Linda was born in Decorah, on Dec. 30, 1955, the daughter of Ray and Wilma (Weflen) Pankow. She was baptized at Smith Memorial Hospital the same day.  She attended Decorah High School and graduated with the class of 1974. During her years in high school, Linda worked at the local ice cream parlor, Trollheim. Upon graduation, Linda went to Northeast Iowa Community College and earned a degree in cosmetology. She enjoyed beautifying her friends and family, as well as the folks at local nursing homes. From age 16, she knew she had met her life-long soulmate, Keith Arlen Johnson. They were engaged on Dec. 20, 1975.

Linda worked at Elaine’s One Size Up clothing store. Keith and Linda could not contain their excitement and were married on Leap Day, Feb. 29, 1976. After they were married, Linda worked several jobs including Wellington Place, Decorah Community School District, and Decorah Public Library. Linda and her husband adopted their daughter Elizabeth Marie Johnson, April 17th, 1986. She had many joys in her life, but nothing came close to being a mom, grandma, and wife to her family. Linda was a bubbly, and high-spirited woman. She loved getting together with her friends and family for coffee, card games, watching the Chicago Cubs, hockey games, and especially the holidays. She enjoyed collecting Hummel figurines, items made of crystal, dolls, and cookbooks. Her love of animals and her faith in God were two passions she carried with her throughout her whole life. She loved to collect and wear crazy socks.

Linda was preceded in death by her infant brother, mother Wilma Pankow; her father, Ray Pankow; her brother Ron Pankow, and sister-in-law Nancy Johnson.

She is survived by her husband, Keith Johnson of Ridgeway, her mother-in-law Irene Johnson of Decorah, her daughter, Elizabeth Johnson of St. Peters, MO, her granddaughter Nadia Johnson of Ridgeway, brother-in-law Dale Johnson of Decorah, sister-in-law Trudy Pankow of Waupaca, WI, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to Decorah Lutheran Church Youth Program, 309 Winnebago St., Decorah Iowa 52101, or Ewalu Bible Camp, 37776 Alpha Ave., Strawberry Point, Iowa 52076.Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah is serving the family. Online condolences may be made at www.fjelstul.com.

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