Barbara “Barb” Johnson, age 87, of Harmony, Minn., passed away peacefully Sunday, December 6, 2020, at the Regional Health Services Hospital in Cresco, Iowa. A private family service is planned, followed by burial in Greenfield Cemetery, Harmony. Lindstrom Funeral Home in Harmony is assisting the family.
Barbara Joan Johnson was born December 19, 1932, in Portland, Oreg, to Henry and Margaret (Lehr) Weitzel. She graduated from Jefferson High School in Portland in 1950. Following one year of college, she chose her first love of dancing at the Vancouver Dance Studio, and then danced professionally around the west coast and Alaska with her Dance Troupe out of Portland, Oreg. In 1951 Barb met the love of her life, Richard Johnson, while he was living in the Portland area with his family. They were married in Portland, Oreg., on December 12, 1953. They moved to Richard’s hometown of Harmony, Minn., in 1955, where Barb started her first dance studio in Harmony and surrounding communities. After 42 years teaching dance to many generations of young dancers, she retired in 1994. Barb Johnson’s Dance Studio is a name people in the southeastern area of Minnesota know very well. Barb was also involved in the Greenfield Lutheran Women’s group, and treasurer of the Community Chest in Harmony for many years. While Barb’s biggest love was spending time with her family, she also enjoyed gardening, cooking, needlework, watching musicals and Vikings/Twins, and travel. Barb and Dick spent many fun vacations with brother Dick and sister-in-law Marilyn.
Barb is survived by her three children: Melodee (Robert) Muehlenkamp of Rosemount, Minn., Nacia (Scot) Golliher of Stewartville, Minn., and Bill (Suzanne) Johnson of Royal Oak, Mich.; six grandchildren: Nicole, Nacia, David, Rick, Derek, and Russell; great-grandson Colton, two siblings: Dick Weitzel and Dale (Martha) Weitzel.
Barb was preceded in death by her husband Richard, parents, son Richard “Rick,” sister-in-law Marilyn Weitzel and brother-in-law Gordon Johannsen.
Memorials may be directed to the Greenfield Lutheran Church.
Kelly Brenno Carpenter says
I was one of Barb’s students in the day. I could tap to “I’m a little Tea pot” like I was on the big stage
She was a great teacher.