Judy Jo (Christensen) Johnson, 77, of Mankato passed away Saturday, March 17, 2018, at Oaklawn Rehabilitation Center in Mankato. A funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells. The Rev. John Mitchem will officiate. Visitation will be 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. today at Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells, and will continue one hour prior to the service at the chapel. Interment will be at Freeborn Cemetery in Freeborn. Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells is assisting the family. To leave an online condolence, visit www.brussheitner.com

Judy was born Dec. 7, 1940, in Albert Lea, the daughter of Harvey L. and Josephine “Jo” (Holland) Christensen. She was baptized and confirmed in First Congregational Church at Freeborn.

Judy was a graduate of Freeborn High School in Freeborn and attended Winona State College in Winona. On Sept. 5, 1959, she married. She had two sons, Brian D. and Brent D. Johnson. The couple later divorced, and after some years in Ohio, Missouri and Illinois, Judy and her sons returned to Minnesota in 1977. Judy taught Sunday school for over 10 years, was on church boards, active in parent teacher organizations and Insurance Women of Mankato, serving as president of these groups at times. Always attending and supportive of her son’s school activities and sports, which she very much enjoyed. Judy worked as administrative secretary of the junior and senior high school in Assumption, Illinois. After returning to Minnesota she worked for Farmers Mutual at Manchester. Upon moving to Mankato, Judy became an insurance agent for Century Companies of America and then for Theodore Williams Agency. She also worked for Glenwood Cemetery for over 25 years as bookkeeper and then as office/grounds manager in later years as well as working for the American Legion Post No. 11. Judy was a member of the Freeborn American Legion Auxiliary for 34 years. She enjoyed working with and helping people and was power of attorney and/or administrator of estates when needed.

Judy’s family was always the most important part of her life. She taught her sons the value of education and hard work and supported their endeavors as Brian became an accountant, attorney and vice president and corporate secretary of Hormel Foods in Austin, and Brent became a doctor of optometry and owner of Blue Earth Valley Eye Clinic with offices in Blue Earth and Winnebago. Judy had much pride in how hard her sons worked and what they deservingly achieved. She enjoyed her beautiful grandchildren and great-grandchildren and what they are achieving in their own right.

Judy Jo is survived by her sons, Brian D. and his wife, Ann Johnson, of Austin, and Brent D. and his wife, Michele Johnson, of Blue Earth; five granddaughters, Kim (Tom Christner) and Katie Jo Johnson (Brian and Ann’s girls) and Kelly (Tom Johnson), Tammy Jo (Kent Winters) and Holly Johnson (Brent’s girls); two step-grandsons, Patrick and Chad (Michelle) Schiltz; two great-grandsons, Logan and Noah Johnson, and two step-great-granddaughters, Dakota and Mackenzie Schiltz; several nieces, nephews and cousins; and good friend and fishing buddy, Jerry Trio.

Judy was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Lois, and her husband, Marvin Christiansen; brother, Lowell; and several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

As a memorial to her,  give those special people in your life a big hug! It’s so important to take time to do so!