Shirley Joan Johnson was born Jan. 9, 1947, in Rock Rapids, Iowa, to Henry and Susie (Smidstra) Kelderman. She grew up in Doon, Iowa, Canton, S.D., and Hardwick, Minn. After her father's death in 1962, her family moved to Luverne, Minn. On June 2, 1964, she married Jerry Johnson from Pollard, Ark. They were the first couple to be wed at the Wayside Chapel north of Luverne. They made their home in Luverne, and later in Sioux Falls, S.D., Harrisburg, S.D., and Valley Springs, S.D., before settling in Hills, Minn. Shirley worked at Hills-Beaver Creek High School, and later at the Tuff Memorial Home in Hills, at the Minnesota Veterans' Home in Luverne, and at Tuff Village. Shirley and Jerry enjoyed singing together in local churches and at the Union Gospel Mission in Sioux Falls. Shirley’s Christian faith was important to her. She was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Hills, and later Christ Lutheran Church in Alvord, Iowa, where her daughter preached. She later became a member of Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church of Sioux Falls with her son, while also attending services with her daughters in Rock Rapids.
Shirley enjoyed potting flowers, rummaging for treasures for family, making rhubarb dessert, dining out, and meeting for dinner and card games with family and their friends, Dave and Barb. Shirley was especially fond of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren who kept her busy with many music, arts, and sports activities to attend over her later years and who she loved to visit and spend time with in addition to her children. Shirley also enjoyed listening to music, attending concerts, getting dressed up, and her weekly hair appointments.
In 2024, Shirley and Jerry celebrated 60 years of marriage. Shirley's final health battle began unexpectedly many miles from home while visiting family. Shirley passed at 79 years of age on June 26, 2026, in Piggott, Ark., while under the care of Legacy Hospice in the home of family.
Surviving are her beloved husband, Jerry; daughter Corilee (Jason) Boer; daughter Angie (Bob) Johnson; son Jeffery Johnson; grandkids Amanda Boer (Jordon Breuer), Lana (Steve) Snyders, Rebecca (Trevor) Boon, Derek Johnson, Bret Johnson, and Amara (Mitch) Schaap; great-grandkids Nieva & Everett “Indy” Boer-Breuer; Sarah, Tamiya, Ezekiel, and Isaac Snyders; and Rosalia Boon; brother Dave (Jan) Kelderman; brothers and sisters-in-law Linda Elkins, Lon "Sonny" Johnson, Eithel Webb, Janice Rodery, Gloria Kelderman, and Colleen Kelderman; and extended family.
Her parents, brothers Henry "Butch" Kelderman and Roger Kelderman, brothers and sisters-in-law Louis and Jerita Haynes, Odell Elkins, Lloyd and Patsy Adams, Roger and Clara Haise, Bobby Webb, Mary Faye Johnson, Pearl Johnson, and Van Rodery, nephews Alan Lawrence and Dennis Haynes, nieces Belinda Moore, Sheila Baker, Donna Wyman, and Patricia Gautreaux preceded her in death. Eternal be her memory!
A visitation and service were held July 1 and July 2, 2026, at Hoggard & Sons Funeral Home, Piggott, Arkansas with burial at Cummins Chapel Cemetery, Pollard, Ark. A memorial honoring Shirley locally will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, at at Christ Lutheran Church, 308 1st Street, Alvord, Iowa, and all are welcome to attend.
