Dee Johnson, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away on April 25, 2026, at the age of 90. A service celebrating her life will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, May 21st at Excelsior United Methodist Church in Excelsior, MN, with visitation beginning one hour prior and luncheon to follow. You are welcome to come as you are — comfortable clothing and even bright colors are encouraged. Flowers from your garden or a local farmers market would have made her smile and are especially meaningful. Memorials may be directed to Excelsior UMC, Simpson Homeless Shelter, or ICA.

Dee was born in Milaca, MN, to Verle and Milton Lundberg on November 12, 1935. She met Ron — the love of her life — when she was just nine years old, and the two married the day after Christmas in 1955. Their honeymoon was spent touring TVA power generators along the Tennessee River, a sign of the life that lay ahead. As newlyweds, they lived near Redstone Arsenal in Alabama while Ron was stationed there, and they eventually made their home in Excelsior, where they’ve lived since 1968.

While she had B.S. in Education, most of her life was spent in a variety of professional positions working for organizations such as Xcel/NSP (Security), Winona Research (Market Research) and as President of IXI, the family electronics business. When she “retired,” she simply shifted gears — selling her flowers and specialty vegetables at farmers markets, where she loved connecting with people.

Dee was always ready for something new — a new place to travel, a new book to read, a new person to meet. She carried a calm, steady joy with her, and even the smallest moments could spark her laughter.

She is survived by her husband Ron; daughters Sandy Clifford (Bob) and Tanya Eastman; grandchildren Katrina Clifford (Joe Hansen), Shannon Kolosov (Mikhail), Gunnar Eastman (Pamela), Spencer Eastman, and Gage Eastman; and three great‑grandchildren, each of whom she loved with her whole heart.