Kay Johnson

Kathleen Kay (Anderson) Johnson was born to Arling and Ona Anderson on September 14, 1942 in Lake City, MN. She grew up in Luverne, MN, a proud and dutiful big sister to her four siblings.

At St. Olaf College she majored in music education and sang in the St. Olaf Choir. Jim Johnson, a handsome baseball player, was smitten with her solo in “Beautiful Savior”; they married in April 1965.

Kay combined her love of music and her love of children in a long, happy career as a music teacher in Madelia, St. James, and from 1976 in Roseville, MN where they raised their three children, Stacy, Siri and Trevor. She taught in the public school, in her private studio, and also worked as a Church Music Coordinator/Director.

In retirement, Kay continued to volunteer with the Kinder Koncert Program at Orchestra Hall, sing in the church choir and give piano lessons to her grandchildren. Kay was active on boards and committees in the American Parkinson’s Disease Association and also worked on fundraising events for the National Parkinson’s Foundation and the Capistrant Center.

A diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease in May of 2002 only fueled Kay’s determination to love and serve her family and friends without limit, and she continued to pursue opportunities to travel and connect with her friends and family. She died peacefully in her home, Oct. 29, 2022, surrounded by her husband and three children.

Kay will be greatly missed by her husband of 57 years, James Johnson; children, grandchildren, sisters, brother-in-law, extended family, friends, and countless adults and children with whom she shared the gift of music.