Jean E. Johnson

Jean E. Johnson, age 88 of Hastings, died peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family on Friday afternoon, July 16, 2021. Jean Elizabeth, the daughter of Alfred and Winifred (Williams) Espenson, was born on May 25, 1933, in New Ulm, Minnesota. Following her graduation from Owatonna High School with the class of 1951, Jean continued her education in Nursing and received her LPN Degree. On November 5, 1954, she was united in marriage to the love of her life, Kent G. Johnson. Jean was a thirty-plus year LPN Nurse at Regina Medical Center in Hastings where she truly loved working in the newborn nursery. She also enjoyed singing, playing the piano, and going for rides in Kent's 1942 Buick. Jean was a very faith-filled women who prayed for her family and friends, led Sunday School for many years, regularly attended bible study, and volunteered at her church in any way she could. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Kent; son, Michael; and by her siblings, Kenneth Espenson, Donald Espenson, Helen Espenson, and Alice Cornelius. Jean is survived by her daughters, Diane (Fred) Berry and Lynn (Jim) Raway; grandchildren; Jason Raway, Brad (Anna) Raway, Jonna Berry, Christa Berry, Cindy (Steve) Kieffer, and Heather (Mike) Darst; eleven great grandchildren; brother, Byron (Jeanie) Espenson; and by many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 21, 2021, at Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel of Hastings, with Gordon Gathright officiating. Interment will follow at Lakeside Cemetery in Hastings. Family and friends are cordially invited to a visitation from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m., and to a reception immediately following the interment, all at the funeral home on Wednesday. Jean's family would like to extend a special thank you to the amazing staff at Allina Hospice. The love and care you provided Jean for over the last two years will never be forgotten. Arrangements are being completed by Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel of Hastings.