Sandra Johnson

Sandra Kaye Johnson, 68, a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, friend and teacher, passed away on December 4, 2015 in a car accident. She was surrounded by two close friends who also lost their lives and her husband Dennis Johnson who survived the collision north of Yankton, SD. Funeral services will begin at 2:00 on Saturday, December 12th at Grace Lutheran Church in Parker, South Dakota. Visitation will begin at 5:00 on Friday, December 11th at Grace Lutheran Church in Parker, SD with the family present to greet friends from 5:00 to 7:00. Prayer service will begin at 7:00. Please direct memorials to Helping Hands for Haiti or the The Great Kindness Challenge. Sandra Kaye Guthmiller was born on May 21, 1947 to Arnold and Delores (Mees) Guthmiller in Huron, SD. She grew up on a farm in rural Wolsey, attended country school and graduated from Wolsey High School in 1965. She attended South Dakota State University where she earned a degree in child development. While attending SDSU, she met her future husband Dennis Johnson. After they were united in marriage on February 14, 1970, the couple soon moved to Ft. Carson Colorado where Dennis was stationed in the Army and Sandra taught preschool for two years. The couple returned to South Dakota to begin farming southwest of Parker, SD. They were blessed with three children, Kerri, Kent and Kaylyn. While staying home to raise her children and help Dennis farm, Sandra became a faithful servant in the community and church. Sandra returned to USD to earn her elementary teaching endorsement and began teaching at St. Paul’s Lutheran School in Freeman, SD. She began working in the Parker School District in 1992 where she taught until retiring in 2009. Sandra was gifted at caring, encouraging and supporting others. She wholeheartedly sought to be the hands and feet of Jesus by comforting the sick and grieving, generously donating her time, talents and money, and offering warm hospitality to everyone visiting her home. She was a pianist, vocal soloist and a lover of music. Sandy delighted in spending time reading, playing and making crafts with her grandchildren as well as attending their music and sporting activities. She is most remembered by hundreds of students as a compassionate and dedicated teacher who loved learning and sharing with children. One former student described with a picture and words that “Mrs. Johnson’s smile was as bright and friendly as sunshine”. Sandra was an active member of Grace Lutheran Church in Parker, SD where she directed the youth choir, was a WELCA member, sang in the Grace Lutheran Adult Choir for 42 years and was treasured by many life-long friends. She recently spent a week in Haiti on a service trip with friends and members of Grace Lutheran Church. Grateful for having shared her life are her husband of 45 years Dennis; their three children; Kerri (Ryan) Cox, Kent Johnson and Kaylyn Robertson; seven grandchildren Alexander, Madeline and Benjamin Cox, Avery and Sam Johnson, and Carter and Colin Robertson. Sister Colleen Johnson, a brother Dale (Candy) Guthmiller, brother-in-law Terry (Annette) Johnson. She also leaves behind several cousins, nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents as well as several aunts and uncles.