Coleen E. Johnson

Coleen Johnson,82, died peacefully on October 8, 2023, at Friendly Horizons in Sioux Center, IA, surrounded by her daughters.

Coleen Elaine Ellsworth was born March 29, 1941, to Ray and Blanche (Jager) Ellsworth at Dell Rapids, SD. The family lived in Baltic, SD and moved to Estelline, SD, where she graduated from Estelline High School.  She attended Braniff Airlines School and worked for the company for several years. During her life, Coleen was very diversified and worked for Braniff, Sunshine Foods, South Dakota  State Prison guard, cook for the  bishop in Waterloo, Iowa, landlord, meat cutter, and restaurant cook. She had a “can do” attitude!

Coleen married Roger Sweeney, which resulted in their three children, Tim, Leslie and LaRae. She was later married to Ervin Reichelt and their daughter, Linda, joined the family. Coleen moved to Waterloo and Cedar Falls, Iowa, where she met and married Leslie Johnson. She enjoyed living in Iowa and spent numerous hours on the lakes fishing and becoming a football fan

In 1986, Coleen’s son, Timothy Ray, was tragically killed at age 26.

Coleen loved and shared gardening, cooking, fishing, boating, hunting, dancing, singing and travel. There was never a cook book or honky tonk band she could pass without checking it out. Daughter Leslie is grateful for all the love and support from her mother through the years. Coleen loved it when people would ask if she and Leslie were sisters. It gave her something to talk about for several days! LaRae fondly recalls Coleen introducing  her to unique fresh vegetables out of the garden. Mom had a magnificent green thumb and enjoyed teaching her children how to cook, can, and grow food. Linda will miss all the antics that the two of them would get into when going places together. Whether at Dr. appointments or grocery shopping, being silly was a great pastime.

Survivors include three daughters – Leslie O’Brien of Las Vegas, NV, LaRae Punt of Hull, IA and Linda (Al) Weisser of Sioux Falls, SD; grandchildren – Brian, Jordan, James, Jeremiah, Jodi, Dawn, Julie, and Michelle; 17 great grandchildren; two brothers – Roger (Karen) Ellsworth of The Villages, FL and Robert (Cindy) Ellsworth of Madison, SD; one sister – Beverly Hansen of Westminster, MD; several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, son, Timothy and husband, Leslie.

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