Thereisa M. "Tess" Johnson

Thereisa M. (Tess) Johnson, age 94, passed away Friday, July 11, 2025, at Burgess Health Center in Onawa, IA. Funeral Services will be at 11:00 a.m. Friday, July 25 at the Mohr & Becker-Hunt Funeral Home in South Sioux City, Nebraska. Interment will be at the Dakota City Cemetery in Dakota City, Nebraska. Visitation, with the family present, will be on Thursday, July 24 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. with a Prayer Service beginning at 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. 

Tess was born on March 15, 1931. She grew up in Dakota City and Homer, playing with her brother, John, riding horses, and working in the garden under the loving care of John and Irene Sanford. She attended school in Dakota City and began teaching country school at the age of 15. Tess graduated from Dakota City High School as the Valedictorian of the Class of 1947. She then attended Wayne State Teachers College. 

On March 20, 1949, Thereisa married her one true love, Daryl Johnson. Together they accomplished their most important work of raising seven children -Keith, Kenny, Kevin, Karen, Kelly, Kim, and Kathy- affectionately known as the 7 Ks. Tess was confirmed at the United Methodist Church in Dakota City. For many years, she sang alto in the choir, taught Sunday School, and played in the bell choir. She enjoyed dancing to the music performed by her husband's dance band, cooking for her large family, sewing, crocheting, and painting. Her beautiful flower gardens showcased her love of nature. 

Thereisa was preceded in death by her husband Daryl, her parents John and Irene Sanford, Sr, William and Florence Sanford, her brother John Sanford, Jr, her sister-in-law Darlene Sanford, special family friend Albert Jones, her father-in-law George Johnson, her mother-in-law Eunice Johnson, and many extended family members.

Those remaining to cherish her memory include her children Keith {Melinda}, Kenny {Ken Grudle}, Kevin {Barb}, Karen, Kelly, Kim {Kyle}, Kathy {Alan}, 14 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren, and 2 great great grandchildren.