Kathleen Mae "Kathy" Johnson, 65, Minot and formerly of Kenmare and Wishek died on March 16, 2012, in Minot and went home to be with the Lord.

Born in Bismarck, N.D., on April 24, 1946, Kathleen (Fercho) was raised in Wishek, N.D. She graduated from Wishek High School in 1964 and received a degree in elementary education from Valley City State College in 1968.

For two years, she taught at Grimsrud Elementary in Bismarck. In July 1976, she married the love of her life, Jim Johnson, whom she met during college. That year, the couple moved to Kenmare, where Jim opened Vanguard Photography. She taught fourth grade at Kenmare Public Schools until 1978. In June, they moved to Minot, where Jim bought Elite Studio and she started teaching at Nedrose Public School. In 1980, they adopted their daughter, Jennifer, from Seoul, Korea. Kathleen taught fifth grade until May 2005. She was diagnosed with colon cancer in January 2010.

Kathleen was a member of the Chapter AG PEO in Minot, at one time president, and belonged to the National Education Association. She won an Outstanding Elementary Teachers of America award in 1974 and the Golden Apple award while teaching at Nedrose. She was active at Vincent United Methodist and served on several boards. She enjoyed yard work and especially loved raking leaves. In her younger years, Kathleen went on several canoe trips with Jim. Nothing brought her greater happiness than spending time with her family and relatives. Kathleen was a kind, caring woman, and a compass for her husband and daughter. She will be deeply missed by all that knew her.

Johnson was preceded in death by her parents, Berneice (Fink) and Emanuel Fercho, and her sister, Sharron Fercho.

Johnson is survived by her husband, Jim, and her daughter, Jennifer as well as a brother: Dean Fercho of Casselton.

Funeral Service: Tuesday, March 20, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. in Vincent United Methodist Church, Minot.

Interment: Sunset Memorial Gardens Minot.

Visitation: Monday, March 19, 2012 from 2:00 - 7:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.

Memorials are preferred to Trinity Hospice.