Virginia D. Johnson

Virginia D. (Zaudtke) Johnson’s family sadly announces the passing of their mother, grandmother and great grandmother, at the age of 83, on Sunday, June 29, 2025, at All Saints Senior Living, in Shakopee, MN. She now rejoices in the glory of the Lord.

The family will honor Virginia’s life with a visitation on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, from 4-7 pm at Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation, 4565 Pleasant Street SE, Prior Lake and on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, from 10-10:45 am, with a Christian Funeral, at 11 am, at Immanuel Lutheran on Fish Lake, 20200 Fairlawn Ave, Prior Lake, MN. Dr. Rev. Brent Parrish will preside. The pall bearers will be Nick Johnson, Matt Pivec, Jake Trotman, Mitch Trotman, Joe Trotman, Dan Prekker. Virginia will be laid to rest at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery.

New Year’s Day of January 1, 1942, in Shakopee, MN, Arthur and Verona (Kettelhon) Zaudtke celebrated the birth of their third of five children, Virginia Dorothy. She grew up in the Prior Lake area and graduated from the Prior Lake High School in 1959.

While in high school, Virginia met Francis “Frankie” Chlan. Their love flourished and were married on June 8, 1959, at Immanuel Lutheran Church. Virginia and Frankie settled their roots in Elko and were blessed with three beautiful daughters, Bonnie, Cindy and Deb. Unfortunately, on February 15, 1964, he passed away unexpectedly from a heart attack. God was her strength, comfort and guide. Virginia moved her girls to Prior Lake, where she raised them.

Life became complete once again for Virginia, meeting Raymond “Smiley” Milton Johnson. They were married on June 25, 1966, at Immanuel Lutheran Church on Fish Lake. He became a husband and a father to Bonnie, Cindy and Deb. Eighteen months later, Virginia and Smiley family grew with the birth of their son, Jeff. The spring of 1969, the family built a new home in Prior Lake where they lived and raised their family until later in life when Smiley and Virginia moved into a new townhome in Prior Lake. The last couple of years Virginia lived and received wonderful care at All Saints Memory Care.

Family (especially her grandchildren) were the joy of Virginia’s life. Her family valued the time spent together. Each summer they would take several weeks visiting families in North Dakota or spending time in the Detroit Lakes area. They also enjoyed and spent time at their seasonal cabin. Virginia and Smiley enjoyed traveling, playing board games and cards with family and friends. In later years, every evening concluded with a game of cards. She loved baking and cooking too.

For 25 years, Virginia was a homecare provider and job she truly loved. She also worked nights in the bakery for Radermacher’s and County Market for about eight years. Virginia’s next job for 16 years was a transportation aid for Anderson Bus Company – now Koch Busing. She loved assisting special ed kids getting to and from school safely and they became very dear to her.

A woman of deep devoted faith, Virginia was Baptized, Confirmed and a lifetime member of Immanuel Lutheran Church on Fish Lake. Here too, she reached out to the children. For over 44 years, she taught weekday religion classes and saw the children through the sacraments. She also taught Sunday School, Vacation Bible School and was also active in other aspects of church life. In her spare time, Virginia enjoyed gardening and canning the fruits of her labor. Her favorite past time was playing cards with her grandchildren. Times Virginia truly relished!

Laughter was a part of Virginia’s life, and she truly believed and always said, “prayer works!” Left to honor her life and mourn the death are Virginia’s children, Bonnie (Mike) Christman, Cindy (Steve) Pivec, Deb (Mike) Trotman, Jeff (Cindy McGrath) Johnson; grandchildren, Nick (Heather) Johnson, Matt (Emily) Pivec, Jessica Pivec, Sarah (Matt) Waldron, Jake (Caroline) Trotman, Mitch (Audra) Trotman, Joe Trotman, Sydney (Jessie) Johnson, Whitney Johnson; great grandchildren, Cam Pivec, Josh Pivec, Vivian Johnson, Ari Johnson; siblings, Hazel Kohout, Arvilla (Gary) Unzeitig, Arthur (Gerry) Zaudtke; other loving family and friends.

Preceded in death and there to welcome Virginia home in heaven are husbands, Frankie Chlan and Raymond " Smiley" Johnson; parents, Arthur and Verona; sister, Luverne (Francis Koppen and Melvin) Prekker and brother-in-law, Art Kohout.