Kathleen A. Johnson, 67, of Silvis, died May 3, 2017, peacefully at home.
In lieu of service a gathering of family and friends will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Christ United Methodist Church, 3801 7th St., East Moline, in fellowship hall.
Kathy was born Nov. 13, 1949, to Newell "Bud" and Virginia Mink, in Moline.
Kathy married Michael Johnson on Feb. 17, 1968, and had two children. Mike and Kathy raised their two boys, Jeff and Brian, in Port Byron, later moving to her childhood home in Silvis where she and Mike spent the last 13 years.
In 1977, Kathy became a nurse. Serving as a registered nurse, she worked in labor and delivery, ER and other hospital oriented fields, most recently serving as a school nurse for the East Moline School District. Through nursing, Kathy touched many lives in a positive way, providing comfort and support through both tragedies and celebrations. A recent story that demonstrates her passion for nursing comes to mind. During her terminal illness, she was being tended to by a young nursing student. She loved interacting with her and shared techniques and insights that she used to perform with patients, passing on her knowledge to the next generation of medical professionals. In addition, she made arrangements to have her body donated to the University of Iowa for medical studies.
Kathy was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother (Nana). She was an avid gardener, and she enjoyed walking, biking, kayaking and any other outdoor actives during the warmer months of the year. She detested the bitter cold winters and bided her time reading or catching up on movies until the snow would melt, the air grew warmer and she could get outdoors in the spring. She was passionate about instilling a sense of history with her grandchildren, often providing Civil War and other historical documentaries, to the chagrin of her grandchildren. But in the end, it worked; she helped sculpt their young lives into the wonderful children they are today.
Kathy is survived by her husband, Michael O. Johnson; sons, Jeff (Stephanie) Johnson, Ely, Iowa, and Brian Johnson, Silvis; six grandchildren, Ethan, Zack, Abby, Ellie, Luke and Megan; sister, Janice (Sam) McKay; brother, Bruce Mink;and many extended family members. She was preceded in death by her parents.
The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to Maggie from Genesis Hospice. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Genesis Hospice.