Judy Johnson

1941-2021

Judy Lavonne (Kuha) Johnson, age 80, passed away on August 1, 2021 in Niceville, Florida due to complications of dementia and Covid-19. Judy was born on May 29, 1941, in Sebeka, Minnesota, daughter of Evelyn and Oscar Kuha.

Not long after graduating high school in Sebeka, Judy was united in marriage to Jack on May 25, 1960, in Anchorage, Alaska. While Jack served in the U.S. Air Force, Judy and Jack lived in Alaska, Hawaii, North Dakota, and Texas. After Jack’s retirement from the USAF, Judy and Jack purchased and operated Sugar Point Resort, Leech Lake, for eight years. Afterwards, they settled in Bemidji, and continued to raise their family and, along with Jack, she owned and operated Corner Coin Laundromat for many years before settling in Niceville, Florida.

Through the years, Judy enjoyed watching her children and grandchildren grow and she loved to attend their activities. She enjoyed traveling throughout the United States, particularly to the national parks as well as to Sicily and Australia. Judy was a loving and generous mother and grandmother. When those she loved were in need, she could be counted on to provide care, resources, and steadfast love and she would sometimes travel great distances to do so. She was also a passionate advocate for the environment, particularly the forests of northern Minnesota. She spent many days walking the woods and picking up trash on the roads surrounding Bemidji. Music was a great enjoyment in Judy’s life as well and for a time she sang in a women’s barbershop choir. But her greatest joy, pride and purpose was her family and she continued to take great delight in the simple pleasure of seeing the faces of her loved ones who surrounded her in the last days of her life.

Judy is survived by her husband, Jack Johnson; daughters: Tracy (Jeff) Brower of Bemidji, Julie (Lance) Massey of Niceville, Florida, and Beth (Carter) Smith of Eau Claire, Wisconsin; grandchildren: Daniel Brower, Jaymie Brower, Linnea Imhoff, Jack Massey, Brad Massey, Alina Massey, and Gabriel Smith; great-grandson, Lynn Imhoff; and sisters: Donna Kuha, Hilia Kuha, Linda Peterson and, brother, Carl Kuha.

Judy was preceded in death by her parents and brothers, Donald, Allen, Harold, Leo and infant brother Freddie.

The family wishes to thank the nurses of Regency Hospice of Northwest Florida for Judy’s care in her final days. A private memorial service will be held at a later date. Judy’s brain will be donated for the purpose of fighting back against neurological diseases to the McKnight Brain Institute at the University of Florida. Memorial gifts may be made to the UF Foundation, McKnight Brain Institute, P.O. Box 100243, Gainesville, Florida, 32610.

Tree at my window, window tree
My sash is lowered when night comes on
But let there never be curtain drawn
Between you and me
~ Robert Frost

Arrangements were entrusted to Davis-Watkins Funeral Home of Fort Walton Beach, Florida. To share memories, express condolences, and sign the guestbook, please visit www.daviswatkins.com.