Obituary of Katie D Johnson

Katie Dean Johnson, 96, passed away on Thursday, January 31, 2019. Katie lived in Solon Assisted Living for four happy years and loved the caring staff and made many great friends.

Katie was born in Savannah, Georgia. She met Stanley Curtis Johnson from Lee, Illinois, in Miami, Florida, during World War II. Married in Langley, Virginia, they began a life of moving for Stanley's military assignments. Katie loved traveling and her life as an Air Force Officer’s wife. She especially enjoyed their three and a half years in Tokyo, Japan.

When Stanley retired, they moved to DeKalb, IL. During the time in DeKalb, Stanley and Katie started Johnson's orchard by planting 200 red and yellow delicious apple trees and added a cider press.  The orchard grew to over 2000 trees and was sold to the McArtors who renamed it Jonamac Orchard. It has become a popular fall attraction in Northern Illinois.  Katie and Stanley loved being near family and friends. They especially enjoyed being close to nieces and nephews, cheering them on in sports and other endeavors and attending graduations, weddings, and the annual family reunion.

Katie's daughters, Jan Mize of Algonquin, IL, and Judy Martin of North Liberty, IA, were by her side when she passed. She is survived by her daughters and son- in- law, Bill Martin, as well as grandchildren, Katie (Sean) Kassim of Silver Spring, MD, Trey (Kim) Martin of Coralville, IA, Marnie (Oscar) Cedillos of Denver, CO, Tom (Tina) Mize of Lake in the Hills, IL, and Jenna (Bryan) Davis of North Liberty, IA.  Additionally, she has 10 great-grandchildren, Conner (Shemiah) and Isabel Cedillos; Kiah, Willa, and Briar Martin; Mackenzie, Will, and Hannah Mize; and Katelyn and Liam Davis. She was preceded in death by husband, Stanley C Johnson, son-in-law Bill Mize, and granddaughter, Kerry Mize.

Katie’s cremains will be laid to rest with her beloved Stanley in Arlington National Cemetery in August. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Katie's memory to the Solon Retirement Village Foundation, 623 E. Fifth St, Solon, IA 52333 or at http://srvfoundation.org/donations.html. Condolences may be shared with her family at www.gayandciha.com