Funeral services for Sara Kay Johnson, 44, of Albert Lea, will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday at Salem Lutheran Church. The Rev. Jay Dahlvang will officiate. Interment will be in Hillcrest Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home, and one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday. To sign the guest book, goto www.bayviewfuneral.com

Sara died on Sunday, Sept. 2, 2007, at her home, after a long battle with cancer.

Sara Kay Johnson was born on July 13, 1963, in Albert Lea, the daughter of Harry and Donna (Helland) Johnson. She was baptized and confirmed at Salem Lutheran Church, where she became an active member, serving on the church council, President of the women&8217;s group and as a Sunday school teacher. Sara graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1981 and from Austin Community College in 1983 with an associate degree in accounting. She worked for Wal-Mart, for Hy-Vee and for Schweigert. Sara was an animal control officer for the city of Albert Lea for several years. She was active in fundraising for the March of Dimes. Sara enjoyed horseback riding, going to plays, and rodeos. She especially loved her pets, Daisy, Cinder, Vern, Jack, Shamar, and Schwartz.

Survivors include her parents, Harry and Donna Johnson of Albert Lea; her siblings Mary Thostenson, Howard (Sharon) Johnson of Clarks Grove, Carolyn Schutz of Glenville and her special friend Dwayne Anderson, Susan (Clair) Thostenson of Alden, and Patricia (Dennis) Gehring of Albert Lea; brother; uncle Omer Helland; many nieces, nephews, and cousins; and close friends Laurie and Mike Remakel.

Sara was preceded in death by her nephew Donald Thostenson, her brother-in-law Eugene Schutz, her sister-in-law Barb Johnson, grandparents Ole and Emma Helland and Johannes and Caroline Johnson, and her aunt, Eleanor Helland.

Sara&8217;s smile will be sadly missed by all who knew her. In honor of Sara&8217;s memory, you are invited to wear something purple to her funeral.