Shelley Johnson

Shelley Ann Johnson, 64,  Duluth, formerly of Two Harbors, passed away Tuesday, May 12, 2020 in Essentia Health St. Mary’s Medical Center due to complications from a lengthy battle with Parkinson’s Disease.

Shelley was born December 8, 1955 to Shirley “Tootsie”  (Kirkus) and Kenneth E. “Bogo” Johnson in Two Harbors where she grew up and and graduated from Two Harbors High School, Class of 1974.

Shelley was a dedicated and devoted health care provider.  She was a Certified Nursing Assistant and started her career in Two Harbors working at the Lakeview Elderly Living Facility and later she worked at Sunrise Nursing Home.  She continued in the field providing private residential care in Duluth until she was forced into early retirement due to her Parkinson’s diagnosis.

She had her favorite things in life: bird watching (loved cardinals), cheering on the MN Vikings on Sundays (wearing purple), Elvis music, Disney movies and her most favorite thing was CHOCOLATE, CHOCOLATE, CHOCOLATE – anything chocolate!  She had a special connection with a caring and happy place while attending Adult Day Services at the Benedictine Health Center on the St. Scholastica campus – the family is forever grateful for their love and support of Shelley.

Shelley was preceded in death by her parents, and brothers, Michael “Bogo”, and Kirk “Erwin” Johnson; sister, Gaynelle; and uncles, Milton (Coral) Johnson and Ronald Kirkus.

She is survived by her sister, Denise “Deedi” Talbott; sister-in-law, Patty Johnson; nephew, Ron Davidson; nieces, Shawna Davidson, Monique Talbott, Erin (Eric) Daugherty, and Tracy (Christopher) Yard; great nieces and nephews, Hogan and Ailie Davidson, Brendan and Rowan Daugherty and Memphis Yard; and many cousins.

The family would like to thank the staff at Diamond Willow/Proctor/Arbor Rose Suites, where Shelley had been living the past 2 years and the doctors and nurses at Essentia/St Mary’s from the 4th floor and the 9th floor, who cared for her during her final weeks

A Celebration of Shelley’s Life will be held on Saturday, June 5, 2021 at the AAD Shrine Temple, 5152 Miller Trunk Hwy..