Sharon Ann (Ver Steeg) Johansson

Sharon Johansson passed into eternal life at Mayo Methodist Hospital in Rochester, MN, on June 23, 2019.  Sharon’s faith was the foundation of her life. She loved Jesus and displayed His love to others.  We will miss her sweet spirit, listening ears, and caring heart.

Sharon was born on August 6, 1940, to Wilbur and Suzanne (Dykstra) Ver Steeg in Orange City, IA. During her younger years, Sharon performed at the annual Tulip Festival by Dutch dancing and playing the clarinet in the Orange City marching band, famous for marching in parades wearing wooden shoes cushioned by four pairs of heavy woolen socks.  Sharon graduated from Orange City High School in 1958 and then from Northwestern College, also in Orange City.

After earning her bachelor’s degree in education, she taught elementary school in Sioux City, IA. During this time she met her husband-to-be, Elvin (Al) Johansson.  Sharon and Al were married on August 12, 1967. Their oldest daughter Sarah was born in Sioux City, IA, and their family of three then moved to Champaign-Urbana, IL, for Al’s job with SC Johnson.  Rebecca was born during their time in Illinois. The family then moved to Plymouth, MN, where they resided for 42 years, always welcoming family and friends.

When her daughters grew older, Sharon became a teacher again at Peppermint Fence preschool.  She treasured the twenty years she spent there, not only for the love she had for children, but also for the lifelong friendships she made with fellow teachers. 

Sharon and Al spent many memorable vacations with her parents, brothers and wives, and their children in Silver Lake, WI, and Keystone, CO. These fun memories and stories have been retold every year, when the extended family spends a few days together celebrating Thanksgiving.

Sharon was actively involved in her church communities at Plymouth Covenant and Excelsior Covenant Church.  She enjoyed a variety of activities, including Bible Study Fellowship, small group, book club, walking, biking, and coffee with friends. Sharon loved to encourage others, and she endeared herself to many friends and family through the hundreds of cards she sent with personal written notes.

Sharon treasured her time with her four grandchildren. She was a “hands on” grandma, loving to play, read, and attend their school programs and sporting events.  The Johansson family – including both girls and their families – loved to vacation on Sanibel Island in the springtime.  Their sunny Florida vacations were full of sand, shells, pool-time, and afternoon excursions to the local ice cream shop!

We will always remember Sharon’s strong faith in Christ Jesus, caring heart, and love of others. We will greatly miss her!

Sharon is survived by her devoted, loving husband of 51 years, Al Johansson; daughter Sarah (Paul) Enslin of Balsam Lake, WI, and daughter Rebecca (Geoff) Roise of Mankato, MN; grandchildren Noah Enslin and Joshua, Hannah, and Elizabeth Roise.  She is also survived by brother Dr. Jackson (Charlene) Ver Steeg of West Des Moines, IA, and brother Bill (Jan) Ver Steeg of Orange City, IA; sister-in-law Korrine (Jay) Reger of San Antonio, TX; brother-in-law Joe (Sheri) Johansson of Sioux Falls, SD, and sister-in-law Janette Turbak of Missoula, MT. 

Sharon was preceded in death by her parents, Wilbur and Sue Ver Steeg of Orange City, IA, brother-in-law Gary Turbak, and niece Kimberly Ver Steeg. 

Visitation with her family will be held on Saturday, June 29, from 5-7pm at Excelsior Covenant Church in Excelsior, MN.  A celebration of Sharon’s life will be held on Sunday, June 30, at 2pm, also at Excelsior Covenant Church.  In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made in Sharon’s name to Samaritan’s Purse at: https://www.samaritanspurse.org/memorial-page/sharon-johansson-plymouth-mn

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