Dawn Johnson

January 21, 1947 - March 27, 2020

Dawn Johnson, 73, of Arnolds Park, Iowa died On March 27, 2020 at Every Step Hospice- Kavanagh House in Des Moines, Iowa. She was born on January 21, 1947 in St. Paul, Minnesota to Vern Robert Foss and Elizabeth Foss (Gill). Her father passed away when she was a child and her beloved ‘Papa’ - Albert McNary, married her mother in 1955. She graduated from Nevada High School in 1965 and was an art student at the University of Iowa and later joined a group of fellow artists for a distinguished fellowship in New York City, New York. She married James Hanzlick and raised three children in Shenandoah, Iowa ( Heather, Justin and Keri). In 1989, she married Paul Johnson and moved to Arnolds Park Iowa where she continued to live out her years. Dawn was a brilliant fine art artist, peace\human rights activist, passionate lover of nature/environment, immensely civically engaged and huge Iowa Hawkeye fan. A beloved wife and mother, Dawn was especially nurturing and loving to family and friends. She adored music and dancing, cooking, history of the British isles, and gardening. All remember her beautiful smile, charming/witty sense of humor, gracious way and uncommonly generous spirt. Survivors include - husband, Paul A Johnson (Arnolds Park, Iowa); daughter Heather E Hanzlick-Jaacks and husband Rick Hanzlick-Jaacks (Winona, Mn); daughter Keri M Hanzlick (Waukee, Iowa); stepson Chad Johnson (Lincoln, NE) and step-granddaughter Samantha Johnson; step-daughter Kate Livingston, husband Rob Livingston ( Council Bluffs, Iowa) and step- granddaughters Emma, Isabel, and Greta Livingston. Dawn was preceded in death by her son Justin A Hanzlick, and her parents. Due to circumstances related to the Coronavirus, the family we will be holding a private family interment and then a celebration of life will be announced at a later date. Memorials may be made in Dawn’s name and directed to the family at PO Box 272, Spirit Lake, Iowa 51360