Katherine Jean (Nelson) Johnson was born June 21, 1947, in Dillon, MT to Jay F. and Jean (Renz) Nelson. She departed this life in the comfort of her home on August 4, 2023, after a lengthy medical battle. She was the 4th of 6 children (Jenny, Ruthie, Sherry, Mary, and Robert) and grew up in Jackson, MT where she spent her days helping on her grandparent’s ranch, playing with kittens, camping and horseback riding.
in the beautiful surrounding mountains of the Big Hole Valley. She joined the United States Marine Corps shortly after graduating from Beaverhead County High School, where she attended Basic Training in Parris Island, South Carolina then was stationed at Camp Pendleton in Oceanside, CA. There she met another Marine, John D. Johnson (J.D.), who she married after his return from his 3rd deployment during the Vietnam War. They wed in California on September 26, 1969 and returned briefly to Montana before making their final home in Pineville, MO.
During their 53 years of marriage, J.D. and Kathy raised 3 children on their farm outside of Pineville: daughter Connie Roark (husband Jody) of Neosho, MO; son Steven Johnson (wife Anner) of Pineville, MO; and daughter Stacy Parks (husband David) of Stella, MO. They were additionally blessed with 8 grandchildren: Jocelyn Roark, Mary Kate Roark, Conner Roark, Amanda Johnson, John Johnson, Bryan Parks, Brandon Parks, Brett Parks and one great granddaughter: Kaitlynn Johnson. Kathy’s greatest joy came from spending time with all of her family. She also enjoyed crocheting, quilting, reading, woodworking and traveling.
After the birth of her children, Kathy attended Crowder College and MSSU receiving a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. While teaching for the McDonald County School District, she went on to earn her master’s degree and Reading Specialist. She spent the majority of her 24 years of teaching working with elementary students with disabilities. In the midst of her teaching career, Kathy experienced a serious illness resulting in the need for a liver transplant. She and her family were blessed to receive this donation in August 1997 allowing her to return to her loving family and the job she found so rewarding. She continued to teach an additional 10 years before further health concerns resulted in her choosing to retire in 2007. Side effects from her liver transplant resulted in additional serious medical complications which led to a kidney transplant in 2014. Kathy’s family wants to thank the amazing team of doctors, nurses, and therapists who were so instrumental in her care over the past quarter century so that they enjoyed the blessing of all the extra years in her loving company.
Due to the overwhelming blessings the family has already received, they ask not for donations of flowers or gifts, but instead ask that you look into your hearts and become an organ donor or donate to organizations that work to assist those who may also find themselves in similar situations. Please join Kathy’s family at New Life Fellowship Church (427 New Life Lane) in Anderson, MO on Saturday, August 12 from 3:00-5:00 P.M. as they celebrate and remember the life of their loved one. Arrangements are under the direction of Ozark Memorial Park Crematory of Joplin, MO.
Lovingly written by the family.