Barbara Anne Johnson

Our selfless, loving wife and mother Barbara Anne Sliney Johnson, of Hermantown, passed away on September 10, 2021, at Solvay Hospice House surrounded by family. She was 82 years young, and went to be with the Lord. She is no doubt right now serving and entertaining everyone in Heaven with her magic fingers, playing that Golden Organ in the Sky. We will miss her immensely.

Barbara was born July 1, 1939, in Duluth, MN to John Irving and Beatrice Sliney. She spent her school years at St. Jeans Catholic School in Duluth’s West End, where she graduated as Valedictorian of her class in 1957. She went on to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Medical Records/Librarian from the College of St. Scholastica in 1961. She worked at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Milwaukee, WI until 1964 and then at St. Mary’s Hospital in Duluth for two more years. She married the love of her life, Darrold W. Johnson, in June of 1964 when she transitioned from career woman to loving wife and homemaker, raising their four children. 

Barbara enjoyed many different activities such as flower gardening, knitting, sewing, canning, reading books, and daily crossword puzzles. She was known to many as the “go-to” seamstress in Hermantown as well as an active Avon representative for 40 years. Barb was perhaps best known for being a church pianist/organist. She started playing the piano/organ at 13 for daily masses at St. Jeans Catholic School and Church. She was the organist at every church she attended and was highly sought-after for area weddings, funerals, and church functions. She became the organist at St. Raphael Catholic Church (Pike Lake, MN) in 1964, and served in that capacity for 57 years retiring on January 24th, 2021.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents; mother-in-law, Jennie Johnson; sister-in-law, Betty Malwick; and brother-in-law, Charles Malwick.

Barbara will be missed by her loving husband of 57 years, Darrold W. Johnson; daughters, Amy (Vincent) Criswick and Pam Johnson; sons, Darrin (Kelly) Johnson and Joel (Sheri) Johnson; grandchildren, Emily, Sydney, and Tess Johnson, Preston and Landon Criswick, Maximus Johnson, and Ben and Alex Hoffman; sister, Eileen (John) Donovan; and many nieces, nephews and cousins who will miss her dearly.

The family would like to extend a warm thank you to Solvay’s caring and loving staff and everyone who helped our Mother’s journey to the Lord.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 - 7:00 PM on Thursday, September 23rd at Sunrise Funeral Home, 4798 Miller Trunk Hwy. Visitation will continue at 1:00 PM on Friday, September 24th at St. Raphael’s Church, 5779 Seville Rd, with Funeral Mass to follow at 2:00 PM. Interment at Sunrise Memorial Park Cemetery.

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