Johnson, Karen Kay (Bornholdt) (1948 - 2025)

JOHNSON, BORNHOLDT, GUTHRIE, FOX, DUFFEY, BORNHOLDT, MARXEN

Posted By: Denise Wurner (email)
Date: 6/20/2025 at 13:49:34

Name of deceased: Karen Kay Johnson (nee Bornholdt)

Aged: 76 yrs, 8 mo, 27 days

Residence: Avoca, IA

Born: Aug. 3, 1948; Marne, Cass County, IA

Died: April 30, 2025; the Heritage House Retirement Home, Atlantic, Cass County, IA

Funeral services: Thursday, May 8, 2025; Trinity Lutheran Church, Avoca, IA; burial was in the Shelby Cemetery, Shelby, IA

Survived by: Husband of 54 years, Bill Johnson of Avoca, IA; children, Alan Johnson (significant other, Erica Guthrie) of Kansas City, MO, Kristin Fox of Avoca, IA, and Jerod (spouse, Amber) Johnson of Avoca, IA; grandchildren, Dakota Fox, Ellanor Johnson, Katie Johnson and Jorden Johnson; sister, Sherry (spouse, Ken) Duffey of Iowa City, IA; sister-in-law, Roseanna Bornholdt of Ramona, CA; other family members and friends

Predeceased by: Parents, Carl and Iona “Mickey” (nee Marxen) Bornholdt; brother, Calvin; grandson, Jackson Johnson

Education: Began school at Brighton #8 Country School. She graduated from Atlantic (IA) High School, Class of 1966 and began further studies at Iowa State University, Ames, IA, focusing on Textiles and Clothing.

Religious affiliation: no information provided

Military service: n/a

Marriage: Bill Johnson; Nov. 30, 1968; Atlantic, IA

Employment: A farmer’s wife, she was active in all aspects of life on the farm, from the birth of piglets & calves, windrowing countless hours of alfalfa, fixing fences, hauling in harvest and occasionally stopping to make lunch for Bill & the crew.

Hobbies/Interests: Her interests included designing and sewing clothes, drawing, writing, reading, and refinishing old treasures; she had a talented hand when caring for houseplants and flower gardens; her collections included snow globes, Mickey Mouse items, old jewelry--especially pins--and kitchen and sewing tools. Karen was involved in many community activities, including serving as the education chairman for the Shelby County Porkettes for 5 years, was a proud 4-H leader for the Shelby Superstars, and was a Shelby County 4-H Aide from 1981 to 1982, making a difference in the lives of many youth in her area. Karen and Bill loved to dance together at the Avoca Ballroom. Karen 'delighted' in capturing daily experiences on the farm in her journal, spanning 56 years of marriage, and being a full-fledged farmer herself. This passion led to Karen and Bill being founding members of 'Writers Bloc', a group of local friends and creative writers who would meet monthly to brain-storm sessions for their self-published book, “Once Upon A Farm: How To Look, Listen, Laugh & Survive” in 1993, and a follow-up edition printed in 2005.

Sources: pauleyjones.com