JoAnn Johnson

Apr 21, 1939 -

Apr 2, 2021

JoAnn Johnson, 82, of Fairbanks, Alaska, passed away in her sleep surrounded by loved ones on Friday, April 2, 2021.

JoAnn was born on April 21, 1939, in Los Angeles, Calif., to Homer and Eleanor Merchant and moved to Anchorage, Alaska, with her family in 1945. JoAnn met and married George F. "Johnny" Johnson in 1955, and had four children.

JoAnn was preceded in death by her parents, Homer and Eleanor Merchant of Woodward, Okla.; husband George F. "Johnny" Johnson of Anchorage; sister, Patricia "Pat" Whitlock of San Antonio, Texas; and granddaughter, Stacy Brooks of Anchorage.

JoAnn is survived by her children, Richard "Rick" and Kim Johnson of Delta Junction, Alaska, Sandra "Sandy" and Bill Collins of Leesburg, Fla., Robert "Bob" and Marie Johnson of Ridgeville, S.C., and Lawrence "Larry" and Rena Johnson of Delta Junction; brothers and sisters, Jack and Wanda Merchant of Woodward, and James "Jim" and LuAnn Merchant of Wasilla, Alaska; 12 grandchildren; and numerous great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

JoAnn for the most part was a stay-at-home mom as she followed her husband Johnny, who worked as a Wien Air Alaska station manager in Platinum, Galena, and Kotzebue, Alaska. Johnny's career also led their family to Fairbanks and Anchorage. After her children left home, she went to work at the U.S. Veterans Affairs office in Anchorage. JoAnn spent the last few years of her life at the Pioneer Home in Fairbanks, where she enjoyed interacting with the home's other residents and was well-loved and cared for by their marvelous staff.

Burial services will be held on Friday, July 16, 2021, at 1 p.m., at Angelus Memorial Park, off Klatt Road In Anchorage. A Celebration of Life reception will be held at Jim and LuAnn Merchant's home in Wasilla following the service. Call 907-987-2302 for more reception information.