Donna Elaine Johnson

Donna Elaine Johnson, 80, of Tomahawk, passed away on March 26, 2025. She was born on September 7, 1944, in Gilbert, Minn. to Arne and Helga (Hanka) Lakso. She grew up on Minnesota’s Iron Range, attending Gilbert schools where she played trumpet, sang in the chorus, and took part in many other activities. She was named Best Citizen as a freshman and graduated in the top ten of her class. She attended Virginia Junior College, where she performed in numerous plays, musicals, and choral groups, setting the stage for a lifetime of entertaining and making others smile. She received a generous scholarship and completed her degree in special education at St. Cloud State University in 1966. She took great joy in helping children with special needs.

Donna was married to Orville Johnson and lived in Moundsview, Minn., where she taught for many years at Sunnyside Elementary School and relished performing in their annual charity concerts. Donna and Orv were active in the Forty and Eight (La Société des Quarante Hommes et Huit Chevaux, or The Society of Forty Men and Eight Horses), an invitation-only honor society of American veterans that focuses on support for veterans, child welfare, and defending the Constitution of the United States. As a member of Les Femmes, the women’s organization, Donna entertained in children’s hospitals and veteran’s homes, dressed as a clown.

In retirement, Donna and Orv divided their time between Big Lake, Minn. and Edinburg, Texas. Donna was a member of the Sweet Adelines, sang in church, clog danced, and taught water aerobics. They loved to travel the U.S., attending Legion events and enjoying this beautiful country. During her busy life, Donna drove the Alaskan Highway, visited Pearl Harbor, sipped margaritas in Mexico, and stopped at any small town for a parade, festival, or garage sale. Her love of music, particularly “oldies” and polka, stayed with her throughout her life.

After Orville died, Donna would drive herself from southern Texas to northern Minnesota each spring. When she could no longer manage the drive alone and was living with multiple health challenges, her sister Ruth enlisted Donna’s son and grandson to help her move closer to her family. Donna spent her final two years in nursing care at Riverview Nursing Home and Tomahawk Healthcare, both in Tomahawk. Ruth took Donna on shopping trips, medical appointments and out to lunch, and the two of them spent the entire drive singing songs from the 1950s and 1960s.

Preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and her companion, Louis Kipputh, Donna is survived by son Daniel (Stephanie) Kormick; grandchildren Wyatt and Tyler Kormick; and two great-grandchildren all of Thief River Falls, Minn.; sisters Ruth Aho, Rhinelander, and Jeanne (Randy Kemper) Lakso, Minneapolis; nephews David and Paul Aho; and niece Chris Borchert.

The family would like to thank the staff of Riverview and Tomahawk Health Care, as well as the hospice staff for their loving care. If you wish to honor Donna’s life, make someone smile today.

Arrangements are incomplete at this time. Date and times of services will follow shortly. The Carlson Funeral Home, 715-369-1414, is serving Donna’s family.