Dorothy Johnson Obituary

Dorothy Mae (Cleve) Johnson, 85, of Farmington passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, March 10, 2025, at Southbrook Skilled Nursing Center, in Farmington, Missouri.

Born November 10, 1939, in Farmington, Missouri, she was the daughter of John Frederick Cleve and Hazel Bernice (Worley) Cleve, who preceded her in death.

She was also preceded in death by her husband, Wayne Earl Johnson, and her brother-in-law, Fred Smith.

Dorothy and Wayne were married September 16, 1961, in St. Louis, Missouri. She was a devoted and loving caretaker of her mother Bernice and husband Wayne in their later years. She was a talented homemaker with cooking, baking, and decorating abilities, and created delightful holiday memories for her family, especially her nieces and nephews, with tins filled with countless varieties of cookies spread out each Christmas. Dorothy and Wayne studied genealogy and researched family history, spending a great deal of time and energy traveling to learn more about their ancestors. They shared their love of learning and knowledge by creating extensive family trees to share with family. They spent a semester in Korea when Wayne was on sabbatical teaching and traveled to Decorah, Iowa, many summers to donate their time and resources to the Norwegian Museum, Vesterheim. Dorothy volunteered for many causes throughout her life in Nacogdoches, Texas, where Wayne taught at Stephen F. Austin University, and back in her hometown of Farmington and Libertyville, Missouri, when they returned after Wayne’s retirement. She was a lifelong learner who studied various subjects through the years, with degrees in home economics, biology, and accounting. Dorothy, her sister Marjorie, and brother Albert grew up with many cousins and cherished their close friendships over the years. Dorothy and Marjorie spent a lot of their time doting on their much younger brother as they grew up, later following him around the country to watch him show horses each summer. Dorothy was active in 4-H, Methodist Youth, and Future Homemakers of America in her youth, and she was a faithful member of the Libertyville United Methodist Church upon her return to Farmington.

Dorothy is survived by her sister, Marjorie Ann (Cleve) Smith; brother, Albert Louis (Karen) Cleve; nephews, Freddie Smith, Charlie (Kelly) Smith, and Andy Smith; nieces, Jennifer (Donnie) Blum, and Katie (Chris) Wilkerson; great nieces and great nephews, Chad (Alyson) Smith, Lindsey (Brian) Behnen, Campbell Blum, Kendall Blum, Coltin (Andrea) Wilkerson, Caleb Wilkerson, and Bennett Wilkerson; and great great nieces, Lakelynn Wilkerson, and Baby Girl Behnen (on the way).

Dorothy’s family wishes to extend their appreciation to the many wonderful caretakers she has had over the last several years.

Visitation will be held at the C.Z. Boyer & Son Funeral Home – Taylor Chapel on Saturday, March 22, 2025, from 9:00 am until the time of service at 11:00 am. Interment will follow at Copenhagen Cemetery in Farmington. Memorials may be made to Copenhagen Cemetery Maintenance Fund or Libertyville United Methodist Church.