Joyce C. Johnson, age 94, of Watertown and formerly of the Brandt area passed away peacefully on May 1, 2020 at Jenkins Living Center. A family graveside service will be held at the Highland Lutheran Cemetery in Brandt. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Houseman Funeral Home of Clear Lake is entrusted with the arrangements.
Joyce Christine Johnson was born November 28, 1925 to Herman and Caroline (Goos) Schmahl in Antelope Valley Township, Deuel County, South Dakota.
She attended country school and upon graduation from high school at Marietta, MN, she attended Northern Normal Teacher College. After a 6 week course she earned a teaching certificate and taught at several country schools.
Joyce married Ralph Johnson on June 23, 1949. They had been married 62 years when Ralph died in 2011. Joyce has been a member of Highland Lutheran Church in Brandt, SD for over 70 years.
Joyce will be remembered as a calm and patient person who took life’s challenges in stride. She enjoyed family gatherings and in recent years being able to be part of the family reunion at the lake. She liked her coffee and when she could play rummikub with friends. She was a great cook and although being of German heritage, she mastered lefse making when she married a Norwegian. She was proud to teach that skill to her children, grandchildren and others.
Joyce is survived by her children: Steven Johnson, Wellington, FL, Robert (Dawn) Johnson, Watertown, SD, Roger Johnson, Brookings, SD, Lori (Fred) Guinn McCormick, SC and her daughter in law, Mary (Jerry) Johnson, Madison, SD; her grandchildren: Michele Gran, Madison, SD, Jennifer (Brennan) Yeo, Alexandria, SD, Kiersten (Andrew) Stewart, Ft Collins, CO, Marissa (Brett Charest), Canyon Lake, CA, Scott Johnson, Watertown, SD, Tyler (Tanya) Johnson, Kennebunk, ME, Crystal (Josh) Johnson, Lawrenceville, GA, Jesslyn Guinn, Charlotte, NC, and Madison Guinn, Boone, NC; her great- grandchildren: Tayten Gran, Gunnar and Bridger Yeo, Tyler and Nathan Johnson and Victor and Evelyn Johnson, her sister in law, Lavina Schmahl, Greeley CO, her brother in law, Dick Spradlin, Sun City West, AZ and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; sons: Jerald and Keith and siblings Elnore Frentz, Forrest Schmahl and Herman Schmahl Jr.
