Clara Mae Johnson

Clara Mae Johnson, age 87, formerly of Lakefield. passed away on Monday, October 30, 2023, at the Suite Living Memory Care facility in Shakopee, Minnesota.

Visitation will be held from 9:30-11 a.m. on Saturday, November 11, 2023, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Lakefield. Celebration of Life Service will begin at 11 with Pastor Andrew Schensted officiating. Fellowship and light lunch will follow in the fellowship hall.

Clara Mae “Clara” Ida Johnson, daughter of the late Paul and Ida (Whipf) Daberkow, was born on August 9, 1936, in Lakefield, Minnesota. Clara was baptized and confirmed into the Lutheran Faith at St. Peter Lutheran Church.  Attended and graduated from Lakefield High School. On June 11, 1954, Clara was united in marriage to Stanley “Stan” Johnson in Lakefield. After marriage she and Stan moved to North Dakota, where they farmed with Stan’s family, until after harvest. They then moved to Nebraska for a brief time, where they had their first son, Gerald in 1955. Shortly afterwards they moved back to Lakefield, Minnesota to resume farming and to raise their family. They lived briefly in Rochester Minnesota during 1962, returning to their love of farming in Lakefield Minnesota. Clara worked alongside Stan on their grain and dairy farm and part-time evenings as a cook at the Hi-Lo Club. In 1971 they were able to fulfill their dream to establish their own family farm in Windom, Minnesota. Over the years Clara worked a wide array of jobs. She broke barriers as the first female welder at The Toro Company, owned the Windom Florist, sold “The Farmer Magazine '' and insurance. In 1989, they began wintering in Brownsville, Texas and in summers worked at Clark Properties as a real estate agent and enjoyed gardening, red hat ladies, her grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Clara and Stan were blessed with 6 children, Gerald, Geoffrey, Dawn, Jeanette, Garwin and Eugene. Upon Stan’s passing in 2011, Clara stayed in the area, visiting, and traveling with friends, and most of all enjoying time with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Due to recent health challenges, Clara became a resident of the Suite Living Memory Care in Shakopee, Minnesota. Clara was welcomed into the heavenly gates, on Monday, October 30, 2023, at the age of 87 years. 

Clara was an outgoing, compassionate, and loving lady. Left to cherish the memories of Clara are her three children: Geoffrey (Leann) Johnson of Windom, Dawn (Wayne) Soleta of Shakopee and Jeannette Abbe of Mankato; 5 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. Two brothers, Clyde (Juanita) Daberkow, and Jerry (Stephanie) Daberkow of Lakefield; one sister, Betty Hughes of Springfield; and many nieces and nephews.

Clara is preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Stan; her parents Paul and Ida, sons Gerald, Garwin, and Eugene, and grandson, Lucas Abbe.  

Blessed be the memory of Clara Mae “Clara” Johnson.

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