Karla Faye Johnson

To view a Livestream of Karla's service, please click the following link: Funeral service for Karla Johnson

In leui of flowers, family requests donations be made to:

Living Word Church in Marshall, MN

Donations currently being collected to upgrade video equipment.  Karla worshipped with her church family online every week and this gift would be a blessing to others.

Karla Faye Johnson was born on May 11, 1982 in the A.L. Vadheim Memorial Hospital in Tyler, MN. 

While in her home, she was passed from the loving arms of her parents to the welcoming arms of Jesus on October 3, 2023 after fighting a courageous 20 year battle with an Eating Disorder.

Karla was born to Loren and Faye (Enemark) Johnson on a dreary, rainy day.  However, this was not an omen of Karla’s personality.  From the moment she was welcomed into the world, she brought joy, happiness and love.  Many people commented when she was little that they never saw her cry.  Instead, she was always smiling.  Karla made an immediate bond with her maternal Grandma Elaine.  They were best friends and Karla helped her grandma endure the tough journey of cancer.  After Karla lost her grandma she quickly noticed that her grandpa needed comforting and became his helpmate.  This early example defines Karla’s legacy.  She had an intuitive spirit for noticing people who needed a smile, an encouraging note, a hug, or a surprise gift.  She was kind, generous, optimistic and caring.  She especially noticed those who were lonely or hurting.

Karla was baptized and confirmed in First English Lutheran church where she taught Vacation Bible School and Sunday School.  She attended RTR and graduated in the class of 2000.  She loved school and was active in volleyball, band, and choir.  Karla took piano lessons throughout her entire school years.  She was a very good pianist.  Growing up, she and her sister would put on Friday night recitals for her parents with all of us dressing in formal attire for the show.  Karla also played duets in church. 

Karla loved reading about pioneer life, walking, jigsaw puzzles, weather forecasts, and crafts, and baking.  She had a cookbook collection and was a very talented baker.  She made and sold many birthday and graduation cakes for people in the community.  She loved crafts of all kinds and had a unique style for making wreaths, floral arrangements, plaques, and paintings.  She sold many of her things online and special order. She loved sharing her gifts with anyone that she felt needed a “boost”.  She was successful at whatever she pursued.

Karla attended Southwest Minnesota State University and graduated with a BA in Education.  Her passion for teaching was evident early in her life.  At age 5 when she came home from kindergarten she would make her sister sit down at a desk and teach her the lessons of the day whether her sister wanted to or not.  The result was that her sister learned to read at age 4 and could read the newspaper or Little House on the Prairie books!  Karla taught for 3 years at RTR Elementary and loved her students immensely.  Although teaching was her life goal, her health struggles wouldn’t allow her to continue.

When her health battle put her in and out of hospitals and away from family and her career dreams, Karla switched her focus to help others cope with an eating disorder.  Once again her gift of encouragement and helping others became her passion.  Throughout her years, she shared her message of God’s love, of hope and of encouragement to everyone she met.  She was a loyal friend.  She shared many inspirational messages via Social Media therefore touching even those with whom she did not know but might be impacted by her story and her faith.  Karla wanted to become a writer and help others with an Eating Disorder to realize that recovery was possible.

Karla carried the dark cloud of the Eating Disorder for over 20 years.  But her daily walk became so much brighter and happier when her nieces were born into this world.  Henley, Avery, and Emma were her greatest joy!  She loved surprising them with unique gifts.  Karla told everyone she knew about her amazing nieces and shared pictures of the girls with everyone!  Her smile always brightened when she saw them and looked forward to watching them grow up.

Although Karla’s life was cut short in our eyes, God knew she had worked hard on this earth.  We believe that he said, ”Well done!” and took her home!  She was a prayer warrior for so many people.  In her last days, Karla often said that she spent the day in prayer and praise!  She said that in all things we need to give God the glory!  She wanted to live her life in a way that others could see Christ.

Her message to us all is:  God is in control.  Whatever comes into our lives we can confidently say, “We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, for those who are called according to His purpose.”  Romans 8:28.

Karla is survived by her parents, Loren and Faye Johnson, her sibling Marie (Pat) Hoese.  Nieces:  Henley, Avery, and Emma Hoese, and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents:  Gordon and Elaine (Albertson) Enemark, and Melvin and Lydia (Trautman) Johnson, and one cousin.

Karla wanted all to become educated about the mental health disorder called an Eating Disorder.  She suggested that the book Brave Girl Eating by Harriet Brown as an excellent resource to help one understand the disorder and how it affects the victim and family.