Catherine Marie Johnson

Catherine Marie Johnson, age 61, of Spring Valley, Wisconsin, died peacefully on September 8, 2024, with her family by her side.

Cathy was born on September 6, 1963, to Duane and Barbara (Peterson) Jacobson. She was born two minutes ahead of her twin brother, Chris. Cathy was delivered breech, and it was a life-long family joke that Cathy came out feet-first because she didn’t want to let go of Chris. Cathy was born the younger sibling to her older brother, David.

Growing up, Cathy was always out and about. She often played with friends, swam at the Spring Valley pool, and spent time at her Grandma Laura’s farm. Cathy always said Grandma Laura had the best chocolate chip cookies. When she was at home, Cathy enjoyed a game of badminton, clackers, cowboys and indians, hotwheels, trains, darts, and more. Even as a child, Cathy was remarkably kind—she would go places and play games with her brothers even when she didn’t want to. She was also known to build snow forts, narrate a game of virtual ping pong, and savor a bowl of her mom’s beef and noodles.

When Cathy entered high school, she joined the Vallette’s Dance Team, once choosing Heart’s “Straight On” as their performance song. A few of Cathy’s favorite bands were Heart, Journey, and The Who. She spent her summers as a guide at Crystal Cave and once road-tripped with her family to Alabama for a ham radio convention. Cathy graduated from Spring Valley High School with the Class of 1982, but not before meeting Jeff, the love of her life. They were married on September 15, 1984.

Cathy and Jeff built a house together in 1989, not far from their families in Spring Valley. Their new house was truly a labor of love. Over the years, Cathy and Jeff created their own slice of paradise, planting gorgeous trees and landscaping that changed with each passing season. They raised two children in this home: Megan and Mitchell. As a mom, Cathy involved Megan and Mitchell in clubs and sports, often chauffeuring them to Girl Scouts, 4-H, football, and basketball games, and hosted summer get-togethers and birthday parties.

Cathy worked for several local employers throughout her life, including Kolpak in River Falls, Sons Tool in Woodville, and, most recently, MAI Genesis in Spring Valley. No matter where she went, Cathy was bound to make friends—anyone who met her would say she was sweet and had a good heart. Cathy’s friends would say whenever they got together, they would sit and talk for hours about anything and everything. When her grandson Emmett was born, he quickly became her whole world. She could not pass by a garage sale or toy store without stopping to look for a new toy for Emmett.

Cathy was a daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, and friend to many. She wanted to be part of things and was the glue that connected the family—always writing cards for every occasion, redecorating the house for each new season, and cooking her family’s favorite foods. She loved life and strove to put others before herself. Cathy will leave a legacy of selflessness, kindness, and love that will be remembered for many years to come.

She was preceded in death by her father, Duane.

She is survived by her husband Jeff; children Megan (Brandon) Bloch and Mitchell (Lia) Johnson; grandchild Emmett Johnson; mother Barbara Jacobson; siblings: Chris (Cheri) Jacobson and David (Vickie) Jacobson; nieces Brooke Snyder, and Jade and Madison Jacobson; and many other relatives and friends.