Obituary of Patricia Caroline Johnson

Patricia Caroline Johnson, 89, of Elk River passed away on Saturday, May 27, 2023 at Guardian Angels by the Lake with her daughters by her side. Patricia was born on September 14, 1933 to Joseph and Sena (Madsen) Weckert. She was born and raised in Cloquet, attending Cloquet Schools, graduating in 1952. She was also known as Patsy by her Weckert family and husband. Patricia married her high school sweetheart Donald Johnson on September 12, 1953. They married and lived in Cloquet until Don entered into the Air Force, where they moved to Tampa, FL from 1954 to 1958. Returning to Cloquet where they built their home and lived from 1958 to 1968. Then moving to Arlington Heights in 1968 to 1970 where Don was training for a position at Potlatch. In 1970 they returned to their home in Cloquet. Patricia moved in 2013 to St. Benedict’s of Monticello and then to Guardian Angels by the Lake in Elk River.

Patricia worked at the Chief Theatre in high school, then at Bergquist Imports where she retired from. They made many friends and enjoyed their winters in Sun City, AZ and summers at their Leech Lake home. She sold Mary Kay for many years and sold Tupperware when the children were young. For a time she also did dog grooming. Many of the groups in which she belonged were the Fraternal Order of the Eagles, Queen of Peace Circle, Queen of Peace Choir, St. Henry’s Church choir in Monticello. Several churches she belonged to were Queen of Peace, Cloquet, St. Henry’s Church of Monticello, Our Lady of Lourde’s Church of Sun City, AZ. She was known for her love of entertaining, gardening, sewing, attending auctions with her husband Don, Sudoku, and painting pictures.

Patricia was preceded in death by her husband, Donald in 2009; brother, Raymond Weckert; sisters, Evelyn Landro, Violet Wilson, Rose Pressley and Elizabeth Landro.

She is survived by her daughters, Lynn (Craig) Pykkonen, and Michelle (Dan) Taipale; grandsons, Joel (Anjanette) Pykkonen and Christopher Taipale; granddaughter, Traci Taipale; great-grandchildren, Tyler and Kelsey Pykkonen, Bryce Taipale and Kingston Gieseke; several nieces and nephews.

She touched so many, as many touched her. She will be missed by the ones that knew her, loved her and cared for her.

A special thank you for the care she received from St. Benedict’s Assisted Living, Guardian Angels by the Lake, Triniti Hospice and Karen Jansons, DNP.

Visitation: 10:00 am until the Mass of Christian Burial begins at 11:00 am on Thursday, June 8, 2023 at Queen of Peace Catholic Church, 102 4th St, Cloquet. Luncheon will follow the service and burial will be in New Calvary Cemetery, Cloquet, following the luncheon. In lieu of flowers, Pat requested donations to the American Cancer Society and the American Heart Association.

Arrangements entrusted to Atkins Northland Funeral Home, 801 14^th Street, Cloquet. To sign the guest book and leave an online tribute, see www.atkinsnorthlandfuneralhome.com