Love for Lisa

Lisa's celebration of life will begin Thursday, June 5 with visitation from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. with a Rosary Service to follow at 8 p.m. Her funeral will be at 10 a.m. on Friday, June 6 all at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Huron. Burial will be at Grandview Cemetery in rural Chamberlain at 2:30 p.m. on Friday.

This page was organized by Lisa's nieces and nephews to support Lisa, Gary, Courtney and Jeremiah.

As many of you are aware, Lisa Johnson began having some health problems in mid-April. What doctors initially thought was a double ear and sinus infection has actually turned out to be Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease. CJD is a very rare and fatal brain disorder. A hospital stay in Sioux Falls led to a trip to Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN for a full diagnosis.

It’s hard to believe “Mama Johnson” was dealt something she couldn't fight her way out of. The past few months were difficult for Lisa, Gary, Courtney and Jeremiah. Now, Lisa's family will have tough days ahead without their loving wife and mother.

CJD is a close relative of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy - commonly known as Mad Cow Disease. Doctors believe her case is sporadic CJD, so not related to BSE or a hereditary case.

We know the medical bills associated with this will be a challenge. So, we are starting a fund to help the Johnson’s pay for those expenses so they can focus on each other instead of the burden of medical bills.

As we help the Lisa's family through this time, we know it won’t be easy - for Gary, for Courtney and JW, for her family, for her friends. All we can do is celebrate Lisa’s incredible life and help her and her loved ones find the comfort they need. Thank you for thinking of her family during this difficult time.

For more information on CJD visit cjdfoundation.org.