Kay Johnson

Kay Johnson, 94 of Parker died Friday, October 17, 2020 at the Tieszen Memorial Home in Marion.  Private family graveside services will be held at Rosehill Cemetery, Parker.  Visitation without family present will be on Friday, October 30 ^th from 5-7pm at the Hofmeister Jones Funeral Home in Parker.

Kay Maxine Kasten (Erickson) Johnson was born December 29, 1925 to Alfred and Zella (Clikeman) Kasten.  She grew up on a farm north of Parker and attended rural school Wellington District 81, Minnehaha County.  After graduation from Parker High School on April 26, 1943, she attended the summer session at Eastern State Teacher’s college in Madison.  That fall, she started teaching a rural school in Turner County at the age of 17. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Joseph’s Cathedral in Sioux Falls in 1946.

She moved to Sioux Falls and worked for Sears Roebuck and Gamble Skogmo.

On July 9, 1946, she married Marvin Erickson following his discharge from the U.S. Navy.  To this union, 4 children were born, Virginia, Joanne, Ralph and Lavonne.  Marvin and Kay farmed north of Parker for 30 years.  Marvin passed away on September 8, 1976.

Kay moved to Parker in 1980.  She married Alfred Johnson on June 25, 1982. They enjoyed traveling throughout the United States, often traveling on bus tours.  Kay worked for Norwest Bank and Farmers State Bank, Senior Citizens Nutrition – Meals on Wheels, and many years for the Kippes family at the Gamble Store and greenhouse.  Alfred passed away on February 17, 2000.

Kay moved to Turner Village in 2004.  She was a member of the Parker Senior Citizens and St. Christina’s Altar Society.  She was a charter member of the Chit and Chatter Club, Sis Club, Flying Fingers, Pre-School and the Cart Bus.

She is survived by her 4 children, Virginia (Bob Kofski), Bloomington, Minnesota; Joanne (Rodney) Tieman, Vermillion; Ralph, Humboldt; and Lavonne Meyer, Parker;  7 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, cousins, nieces, and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husbands, Marvin and Alfred, 2 infant brothers and 2 adopted brothers, Alvin and Lyle, and one son-in-law, Loren Meyer.

Her hobbies included making greeting cards, crocheting scrubbies, writing poetry, keeping scrapbooks, and sharing family history with her cousin Loren Kasten.    She enjoyed gardening and growing flowers and enjoyed many years working with the flowers at the Turner County Fair.

In lieu of flowers memorials maybe directed to the Parker Fire Department, PO Box 192, Parker, SD  57053