Janet Johnson

Janet M. “Jan” Johnson age 77 of Detroit Lakes, MN died August 5, 2017 at Essentia health – Oak Crossing in Detroit Lakes, MN. Janet Mary Johnson was born February 14, 1940 in Glenwood, MN to Clarence and Lillian Pladson Buchholz. She grew up and received her education in Glenwood, graduating from Glenwood High School in 1958. She then attended Cosmetology School in Minneapolis, MN. On August 30, 1959 she was united in marriage to Brian Johnson in Sisseton, SD. They made their home in Morris, MN for a short time, where Jan worked as a hairdresser. In 1960 they moved to Detroit Lakes, where they raised their family. All who knew Jan knew her for her flamboyant and sassy personality, and her zest and enthusiasm for life. Her beautiful smile, giving ways, and strong faith defined her very well. She loved the outdoors and transformed her yard into a showcase of many different flowers and plants. Everything she touched she made prettier, inside and outside of her home. She had many interests and talents. The one that only her family got to enjoy was her gift of playing the piano. She was a very musical person who enjoyed all types of music, including Christian, Country Western, and 50’s genre. She and her husband spent many years fishing area lakes, and camping in the mountains out west. At one time she also enjoyed collecting antique pottery and glassware. She was an avid reader and enjoyed books of all kinds, but the most important to her was her Bible which was well worn and well read. She imparted her faith in God to all of us and reassured us that she knew she was going to be with our lord in heaven upon her death. Her Church was very important to her. Over the years she was active in Bible study, Circle, teaching Sunday school, helping with wedding and funerals, greeting everyone on Sunday mornings, and a host of other things. Jan is survived by one daughter, Jill Carter, of Alexandria, MN; two sons, Kent (Stephanie) Johnson, of Monticello, MN; and Dirk (Val) Johnson, of Eau Claire, WI; six grandchildren, Laura (Drew) Nathan, of Richmond, MN; Andrew Kinnen, of Castle Rock, CO; Andrea Johnson, of Audubon, MN; Justin Johnson, of Denver, CO; Jeremy Johnson, of Clearwater, MN; and Katelyn (Joe) Topp, of Champlin, MN; six great grandchildren, Natalie, Violet, Jude, Benjamin, Lukas, and Alayna; two brothers, Jim (Cathy) Buchholz, of Detroit Lakes, MN; and Don (Norma) Knutson, of Little Rock, AR; and several nieces and nephews. Let it be known she played the role of surrogate grandmother to her neighboring family of three children, Noah, Logan, and Brooklyn, and also her daughter in laws grown niece Kayla. All of whom she loved very much. Jan was preceded in death by her husband, Brian; and her parents.