Denise Ann Johnson of Wanamingo died Thursday March 7, 2024 at her home in Zumbrota.
She was a tiny baby, born May 28, 1961 to Joyce and Darlene Johnson in Rochester, where she was diagnosed with Mongolism (now called Down Syndrome). She was a happy baby and loved by all who met her. She was welcomed into the church family of Lands Lutheran Church with her baptism and was confirmed at Vasa Home near Red Wing. She spent her early childhood on the farm, enjoying the animals and her brother Steve, whom she idolized, and followed everywhere she could. She attended the DAC in Rochester until she moved to Cedar Child Care Center in Lansing so she could go to school, after her parents were informed by Representative Al Quie and local social workers that there were no available schools and no funding for such. At CCCC she learned basic skills, and how to read and write. Writing and coloring became some of her favorite pastimes as she grew older. She moved on to Vasa Childrens Home and then to Riverview Manor in Wanamngo soon after they opened. Throughout these years she continued her schooling, which she enjoyed. She participated in the Special Olympics, even earning a third place medal at the State Special Olympics. During her stay at Riverview, she was chosen as Valentine's Day Queen at the party in Vasa, which made the local papers. She enjoyed all things, especially being the good witch in The Wizard of Oz production. She attended the DAC in Wanamingo School, worked at Kids Duds in Cannon Falls until beginning at Opportunity Services in Kasson, where she worked at different jobs until she decided she was retired. She then enjoyed the Riverview Day program and being closer to home. Throughout her childhood and adulthood she always had a smile for everyone. She was loved by all and never met a stranger. She enjoyed her home in Wanamingo, Riverview - her home recently in Zumbrota. She loved her housemates in Wanamingo and Zumbrota and especially her rooms at both places, with all the bright colors. Recently, on her visits home, she always enjoyed being with her family, mom and dad, brother Steve, and her baby sister Debbie.
She is survived by her mother Darlene, brother Steven (Deanna) Johnson, sister Debra (Patrick) Miller, niece Lydia (Michael) O'Leary, nephews Eric (Victoria) Johnson, Matthew Johnson, Michael (Stacy Peterson) Johnson, Blake Miller, and Logan Miller, great-nieces and nephews Brinley, Emmalyn, Ellison Johnson, Jaxon Johnson, Harrison O'Leary, and Violet Peterson. Also surviving is her aunt Jackie Swanson.
She was preceded in death by her father Joyce in 2016, baby brother Jimmy, grandparents Jennings and Palma Auseth, and Albin and Selma Johnson, and aunts Gladys Cole and Arlene Hewlitt, and two uncles, Kraig Swanson and Keith Hewlitt.
A memorial service will be held Thursday March 14th at 2:00 PM at Lands Lutheran Church, rural Zumrota. The Rev. David Krinke will officiate. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Interment, at a later date, will be in the church cemetery. For those unable to attend, the service will be livestreamed on the Lands Lutheran Church Facebook page. Memorials are suggested to Riverview Services or Lands Church. She will be sadly missed by her family and friends.
