Kathleen M. Johnson

March 17, 1945 - March 4, 2019

Kathleen Marie Kelleher Johnson, 73, of Okoboji, passed away on Monday, March 4, 2019 at Keelson Harbour in Spirit Lake. A memorial mass will be held at a 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 27, 2019 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Milford. Burial will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday in the St. Margaret’s Cemetery in Spirit Lake. Kathleen was born on March 17, 1945 in Fort Dodge, IA to John D. and Mary Elizabeth Kelleher. She graduated from North High School in Phoenix, AZ and attended college in Phoenix. She later returned to the Lakes area and worked as a professional executive assistant. Kathleen was united in marriage to Paul Johnson on May 29, 1998 in Phoenix, AZ. Kathleen was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Milford, IA. In her free time, she enjoyed playing cards and was an avid duplicate bridge player. She enjoyed spending time outdoors, tending to her flower garden and working on landscaping projects. Kathleen had a special passion for dogs, and especially loved her dog Bella. Kathleen will be fondly remembered for her great sense of humor and the fact that she was not only full-blooded Irish but born on St. Patrick’s Day as well. She is survived by her husband Paul Johnson of Okoboji, and four stepchildren: Melanie Johnson of Santa Barbara, CA; Lance Johnson (Cindy) of Fairfax, VA; Melissa Johnson Cantrell (Don) of Coralville, IA; and Kristi Johnson of Santa Barbara, CA; 2 step grandchildren Alex Johnson and Nicole Johnson. She is also survived by brothers Travis Kelleher of San Francisco, CA; Denis Kelleher of Okoboji; and sister Molly Kelleher McEnnis of Phoenix, AZ. She was preceded in death by her parents and older sister Patricia Kelleher Melcher.