Phyllis Lou Swanson Johnson

Phyllis Lou Swanson Johnson was born on January 28, 1926, and passed away unexpectedly on April 22, 2026. She was born in Pennock, Minnesota, to John and Marie Swanson, arriving in the middle of a blizzard with the help of a neighbor when the doctor was unable to make it in time. Weighing a whopping 10 pounds, she was the sixth child in the Swanson family.

She graduated from the University of Minnesota with a bachelor’s degree in Home Economics and a minor in English, and went on to teach for many years in both Minnesota and California. In her younger years, Mom had a true sense of adventure—riding a motorcycle through Colorado and California and even into Mexico with friends. They camped on the beach in Mexico and famously had their potatoes confiscated at the border, something she always laughed about.

After her more adventurous days, she settled down and met our dad, Gene R. Johnson, Sr. At first, she didn’t care for him, but eventually agreed to go out with him—on the condition that he change a light bulb on her front porch. The rest, as they say, is history. They were married for nearly 28 years before Dad passed away unexpectedly on April 3, 1988.

She is survived by her sister, Virginia, and her “darn kids,” Marc, Karen, and Stephanie; eight grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and her beloved cat, Ollie. She was preceded in death by her parents, sisters; Toots and Gloria; her brothers, Frances and Earl; her son, Gene Jr.; and her daughter, Mary; mother-in-law Esther.

Mom loved to cook and bake, and she dedicated much of her time to volunteering at church—quilting, Vacation Bible School, and My Daily Bread. She also enjoyed her mocha lattes and a good glass of white Zinfandel, especially during visits to Toro Viejo. At 98, she sold her home and moved to North Star, a place she truly loved, where she was very happy and formed many meaningful friendships.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Lutheran Church of the Master on Saturday, May 2, at 11:00 a.m., with lunch to follow. Burial will take place at a later date in California at Rose Hills, where she will be laid to rest with Dad.

Mom, we are empty without you. You are deeply loved and truly missed by all of us. We thank you and dad for raising us in such a happy, laughter filled home full of love and touch a sarcasm. We are forever grateful to you both.