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Judith "Judy" Faye (Kangas) Johnson, 82, of Cloquet, passed away Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022, after a long struggle with Parkinson's disease. She was born Nov. 12, 1939, in Cloquet, to Oiva and Elvie Kangas. She graduated from Cloquet High School in 1958.
Judy was married to Laurence "Larry" Johnson on Aug. 9, 1961. They raised their family on Little Grand Lake in Saginaw.
She worked as a librarian and teacher's aide at AlBrook High School in Saginaw and as a sales associate at Sears in Duluth. She enjoyed gardening, sewing, quilting and reading. She and Larry enjoyed watching their dogs perform at field trials, and attending classic car shows with their 1940 Plymouth.
They spent 25-plus years wintering in South Padre Island in Texas, where they enjoyed walking on the beach, fishing, and hosting family and friends. She especially enjoyed the shenanigans and fun times with her close friends at Birthday Club.
Judy was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, JoAnne Koskela and Mary Ann Sarja; and brother, William "Bill" Kangas.
Judy is survived by her husband of 61 years, Larry; children, Ross (Charlene) Johnson, Greg (Kim) Johnson, Lynnae (John) Hedquist; grandchildren, Briana Johnson, Kayla (Brian) Rankila, Elsie Johnson, Kyle (Alex) Johnson, Shawna Johnson (Matt Snell), Katie (Chad) Hildebrand, Kelsey Hedquist; great-grandchildren, Clifford (CJ) Johnson, Baby Boy Johnson (due this month), Baby Girl Hildebrand (due in January); and sister, Kathy Kangas.
To honor her wishes, no funeral will be held. The family will hold a Celebration of Life in the summer of 2023 at the family cabin in Meadowlands.
Arrangements by Atkins Northland
Funeral Home in Cloquet. To sign the guest book and leave an online tribute, see http://www.atkinsnorthlandfuneralhome.com.