Shirley Johnson, age 92 of Apache Junction, AZ passed away on November 27th, 2025. She was born in McLaughlin, South Dakota on June 14th, 1933 to Duane and Isabelle Shephard. Shirley was the oldest of four children and grew up in Minneapolis, MN. While working at the IDS building as a young woman, she met the love of her life, Mark Johnson. They wed on March 30, 1953 and started a family shortly after. She took pride in being a mother to Kimberly, Kevin, Kathleen, and Kelly (and lots of family pets). Besides raising their 4 children, she also spent many years working at JC Penney. Shirley loved to cook and bake for her family. When she wasn’t in the kitchen, she was often hollering at the TV screen while watching her favorite game shows. She had two beautiful sanctuaries throughout her life; the family lakeplace on Lake Minnewawa in McGregor MN and the glorious views of the Superstition Mountains in Apache Junction, AZ. Living at the Raindance Resort in AZ for 28 years, she was very active in the community, being the activities director for 17 of those years. She had a special place in her heart for all wildlife, including birds (especially hummingbirds), loons, ducks, flying squirrels, and chipmunks. Shirley had a vibrant voice, and never met an opinion she didn’t share or a person she didn’t love fiercely. Her memory will live on through her descendants and she will always be their forever ‘Nag-ivator’ (her self-declared name due to her nagging communication style while Mark was in the driver’s seat).

Shirley is survived by her brother Paul; children Kimberly Loken, Kathleen Borgen, and Kelly (Kelly) Coleman; 10 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren and a newly born great-great granddaughter. She was preceded in death by her husband of 72 years, Mark; her parents; her sisters Marcia and Gail; her son Kevin; and 2 son-in-laws, Michael Kaminski and Alan Borgen.

Friends and family are welcome to celebrate Shirley’s life at a memorial service and luncheon held on April 24, 2026, at Everett McClay VFW Post 1296 from 12:00 to 5:00 pm. Shirley will be laid to rest beside Mark at Fort Snelling, during a private, family ceremony.

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