Obituary: Patricia Caroline Johnson

Patricia Caroline Johnson, 89, of Elk River passed away Saturday, May 27, 2023 at Guardian Angels by the Lake with her daughters by her side. Patricia was born Sept. 14, 1933, to Joseph and Sena (Madsen) Weckert. She was born and raised in Cloquet, attending Cloquet schools, and graduating in 1952. She was also known as “Patsy” by her Weckert family and husband.

Patricia married her high school sweetheart, Donald Johnson, on Sept. 12, 1953. They lived in Cloquet until Don entered the U.S. Air Force, then lived in Tampa, Florida from 1954 to 1958. They returned to Cloquet, where they built their home, in 1958 and lived there until 1968. They then moved to Arlington Heights, where Don was training for a position at Potlatch, and lived there until 1970, when they returned to their home in Cloquet. Patricia moved to St. Benedict’s in Monticello in 2013 before moving to Guardian Angels by the Lake in Elk River.

Patricia worked at the Chief Theatre in high school, sold Tupperware when the children were young, sold Mary Kay for many years, and for a time was also a dog groomer. She worked at Bergquist’s Imports until retiring.

She and Don made many friends and enjoyed their winters in Sun City, Arizona and their summers at their Leech Lake home. She was known for her love of entertaining, gardening, sewing, attending auctions with Don, Sudoku, and painting pictures.

Patricia was preceded in death by her husband, Donald, in 2009; brother, Raymond Weckert; and sisters, Evelyn Landro, Violet Wilson, Rose Pressley and Elizabeth Landro.

She is survived by her daughters, Lynn (Craig) Pykkonen and Michelle (Dan) Taipale; grandsons, Joel (Anjanette) Pykkonen and Christopher Taipale; granddaughter, Traci Taipale; great-grandchildren, Tyler and Kelsey Pykkonen, Bryce Taipale and Kingston Gieseke; and several nieces and nephews. She touched so many, as many touched her. She will be missed by the ones that knew her, loved her and cared for her.

A special thank-you for the care she received from St. Benedict’s Assisted Living, Guardian Angels by the Lake, Triniti Hospice and Dr. Karen Janson.

Visitation: 10 a.m. until the 11 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial Thursday, June 8 at Queen of Peace Catholic Church, 102 Fourth St., Cloquet. A luncheon will follow the service, and burial will be in New Calvary Cemetery in Cloquet following the luncheon. In lieu of flowers, Pat requested donations to the American Cancer Society and the American Heart Association.

Arrangements entrusted to Atkins Northland Funeral Home, 801 14th St., Cloquet. To sign the guestbook and leave an online tribute, see http://www.atkinsnorthlandfuneralhome.com.

Pine Knot News, June 2, 2023