Fran Johnson Obituary

Fran Johnson, 85, passed away peacefully on June 22, 2025, in Fordland, Missouri. Born on March 1, 1940, in Westport, Connecticut, she was the oldest of nine children in a large Polish family. Fran developed an early passion for caregiving as her early years were spent helping mother the many siblings while her parents worked. That caregiving instinct became a theme she pursued her entire life.
Fran was the beloved wife of Ken Johnson, who preceded her in death in 2001. Together they moved across the country several times from Connecticut to California to be with and care for their respective families. During this time, she had four children: Robert (Tara) Johnson, Donald (Jennifer) Johnson, Debbie (Sam Coring) Thomas, and David (Vicky) Johnson. In California she operated a successful wedding cake and flower arrangement business while being active with school, church, police wife's auxiliary and helping the elderly.
In 1978, she and Ken moved the family to Fordland, Missouri where she was able to achieve her lifelong dream of owning a farm. The farm became Fran's prized possession where she raised an abundance of animals, plants and gardens. She operated a successful dairy for years where each cow had a unique name while being treated like a queen and typically overfed. She also raised free-range chickens and operated a greenhouse where she sold eggs and flowers to friends and neighbors in the area. Fran's cooking and baking were legendary among those who knew her. Every dish, pie, and loaf of bread she made (never using a recipe) was delicious, healthy, and carried the warmth from her heart. Her days were spent mostly outdoors tending to the animals she adored and digging in the soil of her flourishing gardens. These simple pleasures brought her immense happiness and reflected a deep connection to nature. The cows in particular were everything to her and despite a battle with Alzheimer's in later life, she never forgot about the cows or her farm.
One of Fran's most precious gifts to this world was her endless ability to care. She would always find a person or animal in need of help, whether informally with elderly friends, neighbors and stray dogs/cats; taking the role of lead caregiver for her husband Ken while he was battling multiple illnesses, or through her work as a Home Care Aid with Oxford Health.
Her personality was as rich as the life she led: loving yet tough when needed; hardworking but always ready with a joke or story; talkative in the best way-engaging others with humor and heart. Fran had a kind soul that touched many lives of the people and animals she cared for and helped.
Her legacy continues through her cherished grandchildren: Andrew Johnson, Elizabeth Thomas, Luke Johnson, Jesse Thomas, Adam Johnson, and Jacob Johnson. Surviving siblings include Dorothy Bellefeuille, Pat Palmer, John Kokoska, Rose Corr, and Maryann Belta.
A visitation service honoring Fran's life will be held from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. Thursday, June 26, 2025 at JD Lee & Sons Funeral Home in Rogersville with a Catholic funeral Mass immediately following at 11:00 AM also at the JD Lee & Sons Funeral Home. She will be laid to rest next to her husband Ken during a private burial at Panther Valley Cemetery in Fordland, MO.
The family requests your thoughts and prayers instead of flowers.
The family would like to extend a heartfelt appreciation to the many people who cared for Fran when she needed it the most. Special thanks to the wonderful people at Springhouse Village Memory Care, Mercy Hospital, Seasons Hospice and Veritas Home Health.
Fran will be deeply missed by all who knew her. May her memory bring comfort to those who loved her and inspiration to those who carry forward the values she lived every day.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Fran, please visit our floral store.