Karen M. Johnson

Karen Marie Johnson, age 80, a lifelong resident of Cannon Falls, died on Friday, March 27, 2026 at Cannon Rivers Senior Living, Cannon Falls, with her daughter by her side.

Karen was born on June 15, 1945 in Cannon Falls, the daughter of Edward and Edna (Hallanger) Svien. She grew up and schooled in Cannon Falls, marrying Fred Miller on November 8, 1962 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Together they had three children, and they later divorced. She met the love of her life, Dale Johnson, and married him on August 19, 1972 in Cannon Falls. They had two daughters together.

Karen was a waitress at Country Kitchen in Cannon Falls for 35 years. In younger years, she was an active member at First English Lutheran Church in Cannon Falls. She had been a member in her later years at Riverwood Community Church, Cannon Falls.

Her love for her family, especially her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, will be remembered most by her family and friends. She loved cooking, baking, and having her family together. She enjoyed reading, walking, and traveling, especially to Duluth.

She was sweet, kind, and would help anyone in need. She will be greatly missed, but we know she has been reunited with her love, Dale.

She is survived by her children, Frank Miller, Kim Melhouse, Ferlin (Darla) Miller, Cindy (Bill) Heinlein, and Julie Johnson (Wayne Richardson); grandchildren, Amber and Matthew Melhouse, Gunnar and Krisanna Gustafson, Kaylyn, Khloe, and Karter Richardson, Hailee (Tristan) Johnson, and Carson Hammel; great-grandchildren, Caiden and Carson Walrod, Elliana, Mavrick, and Mckennon Melhouse, and Ada Johnson; and many other loving relatives.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Edward Svien and Edna Christensen; husband, Dale Johnson; brother, Elmer "Sonny" Svien; and sister, Lavonne "Dolly" Maxfield.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 31 from 5-7 pm at Lundberg Funeral Home, Cannon Falls. Her funeral service will be on Wednesday, April 1 at 11 am, with visitation from 10-11 am, at Riverwood Community Church, Cannon Falls. Interment will follow at the Cannon Falls Cemetery.

Active casket bearers will be Matthew Melhouse, Gunnar Gustafson, Carson Hammel, Caiden Walrod, Carson Walrod, and Karter Richardson. Honorary casket bearers will be Amber Melhouse, Krisanna Gustafson, Kaylyn Richardson, Khloe Richardson, Elliana Melhouse, Mavrick Melhouse, Mckennon Melhouse, and Ada Johnson.