Catherine L. Johnson

Catherine (Cathy) L. Johnson, 70, peacefully passed away on February 21, 2023, at home with her family in La Crescent, MN.

Born February 18, 1953, in La Crosse, WI to George and Colleen Gautsch, she married Garry Johnson in 1971 and raised 3 children, Stacy, Kelly, and Sam.

After completing one year of college after high school, she entered the workforce. She went back to college and graduated from UWL with a degree in Business Administration, all while raising 3 children and working full time at the La Crescent School District 300 Business Office. She later became a financial supervisor for Pepsi in La Crosse. She retired from there after 14 years in 2013.

Cathy was an avid gardener and loved being outdoors, whether it be walking with family and friends, or golfing on the course. Most important to her were all of her friends and family. Cathy always enjoyed her annual trip to Fort Myers Beach with Garry and her annual family vacations up north at the lake with her family and grandchildren. Any chance she could get together with her siblings would always result in memories, laughter, and music. She loved following all of her grandkids in their various sports and activities. She also loved cheering on the Minnesota Vikings. Playing cards (pepper) and games (Carbles) with the family was definitely a highlight in her life. Cathy was loved by everyone for her kind heart, beautiful smile, and caring nature. There were so many people who meant so much to her, and she always cherished the times she shared with all of them. We will always remember being greeted with “Who’s at Grandma’s house?” anytime we visited. We cannot wait to hear those words from her again when she welcomes us home. Life is good.

Cathy is survived by her husband of 51 years, Garry Johnson; her children Stacy (Eric) Hart, Kelly Kum, and Sam (Jessica) Johnson; her 11 grandchildren Dylan Hart, Brooklyn Hart, Kasey Hart, Avery Hart, Armani Kum, Cameron Sprotte, Lauren Johnson, Liberty Carroll, Bronx Carroll, Jasmine Carroll, and Drake Burke; her sisters Carol (Joe) Melde, Connie (Gary) Derr, Cindy (Tom) Curran, Chris (Scott) Benedict, and her brother Greg (Marion Nelson) Gautsch; her sisters-in-law Kathy (Jim) Schmidt and Vicky (Dale) Jerome; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents George and Colleen Gautsch, her sisters Cheryl Gautsch and Cecelia Robinson, her brother Jerry Gautsch and her in-laws Norris and Doris Johnson.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, March 1 ^st at the Church of the Crucifixion in La Crescent with Rev. John L. Evans II officiating. Visitation will be held on Tuesday from 4-7 P.M. at the Schumacher-Kish Funeral and Cremation Services, 111 S. Oak Street, La Crescent. Visitation will also be held Wednesday at the church from 10:00 A.M. until the time of the Mass. Friends and family are invited to a reception at the Crucifixion Catholic School Auditorium following the Mass. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to La Crosse Mayo Oncology Department or Steppin’ Out in Pink.