Barbara Jean Johnson

Barbara Jean Johnson, age 85, of Bloomington, Minnesota, formerly from Burnsville, MN passed peacefully into her eternal home on July 12, 2026, in Edina, Minnesota, surrounded by her loving family after complications from Acute Myeloid Leukemia.

Barbara was born on November 28, 1940, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Lars and Susan Lenning. She graduated from Central High School in Minneapolis and began her career with an insurance company. After marrying the love of her life, Dale, she devoted herself to raising their family as a homemaker. When her children were older, she returned to the workforce, serving in finance at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church for eight years, followed by thirteen years at Northern Power Products. She concluded her career through Account Temps, working for a landscape company, a position she especially enjoyed because it allowed her and Dale to spend their winters traveling.

One of Barb’s greatest joys was serving others. Beginning in 1975, when Prince of Peace Lutheran Church sponsored Vietnamese and Hmong refugee families, Barb helped welcome them by collecting furniture, clothing, and household items so they could establish their new homes. As more families arrived from Vietnam, Laos, and other parts of the world, what began as her own initiative grew far beyond a one-woman effort. Prince of Peace embraced and expanded the ministry, which eventually became what is known today as the Mission Outpost. Through countless volunteer hours at her church and throughout the community, Barb quietly touched the lives of many with her compassion, generosity, and servants heart.

Family was the center of Barb’s life. She treasured time spent with her children, grandchildren, extended family, and many dear friends who became like family. Her home was always open to anyone in need of a meal, a place to stay, or simply a welcoming conversation.

Barb and Dale shared a love of travel and adventure throughout their 66 years of marriage. They enjoyed exploring new places and taking extended road trips across North America. After purchasing a motorhome, they spent twenty years traveling more than 200,000 miles throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Along the way, they formed lifelong friendships through motorhome clubs and caravan tours. In her quieter moments, Barb enjoyed organizing decades of family photographs, preserving precious memories for future generations.

Barb will be remembered for her kind heart, gentle spirit, unwavering faith, and ability to see the good in everyone. She gave generously of her time and resources and found great joy in helping others. Her legacy lives on in the countless lives she touched through her love, service, and example.

She is survived by her husband of 66 years, Dale Johnson; her children, Carrie, Jeff (Becky), and Pam; her grandchildren, Jessica Kraus (Ted) and Cassie Johnson; her great-grandchildren, Nolan and Cora Kraus; her sister, Patricia Rollie; brother, Richard Lenning (Shirley); sister-in-law, Vicki Johnson; along with many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Lars and Susan Lenning; her brothers-in- law, Ken Johnson and Ray Carlson; her sister-in-law, Lorraine Carlson; and nephew Mark Rollie.