On March 28, 2024, Joan Ann Johnson, passed away at Great Plains Health in North Platte, Nebraska with the love of her daughters and husband surrounding her. She was born the only daughter of four children to Floyd and Georgia (Smith) Facka on March 25, 1941, in North Platte.
Growing up, Joan attended Hershey Public Schools and graduated in 1958 from Hershey. She then went on to cosmetology school where she received a license as a beautician. In May of 1959, Joan married Donald Johnson at the Lutheran Church in Hershey and the couple was blessed with three daughters, Kristie, Debbie, and Tammie. Joan worked for several beauty shops in the area before opening up her own space, “Joan’s Beauty Shop”, in an expansion that the couple had added onto their house. They were lifelong members of the Hershey Methodist Church until moving to North Platte in 2023, where they then became members of the North Platte Methodist Church.
Joan was known for a lot of things but it was her cooking that really stood out. She was a master in the kitchen, canning Sauer kraut, baking homemade bread, the best cinnamon rolls, and making chicken and noodles, quite literally from scratch. Joan always made sure her family, as well as, anyone who was hungry, had a home cooked meal to fill their stomachs. She was a selfless woman who opened her home up, enjoyed family gatherings and loved to laugh. She was an excellent caretaker of her husband, siblings, and children, often sewing clothing for her daughters in their childhood years. Attending shows at the Community Playhouse with her grandson, Mark, was a favorite hobby. She could always be heard singing along from the audience. Growing up with all brothers, Joan could be stubborn at times, but was always full of love.
Those that survive Joan include her husband, Don Johnson of North Platte, NE; daughters, Kristie (Tom) Taylor of Minden, NE, Debbie (Marty) Anderson of Fort Collins, CO, and Tammie (Billie) Reed of North Platte, NE; grandchildren, Sarah Taylor (Steven), Lauren (Corbin) Michal, Chuck (Sandy) Anderson, Craig (Sarah) Anderson, Christina (Garrett) Havig, Joe Anderson, Rachel Anderson (Dom), Mark Reed, Brad (Megan) Reed; several great grandchildren; brother, Doug (Linda) Facka; brother in law, Gene Johnson; sister in law Peggy Chaney; several nieces, nephews, and other family.
Preceding her in death are her parents; siblings, Alan “Butch” Facka and Dennis Facka.
Memorials are suggested to North Platte Community Playhouse. Online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.
Services will be held on Wednesday, April 3, 2024, at 11 AM at the Hershey Methodist Church with Reverend Mark Baldwin officiating. Burial will follow at Fort McPherson Cemetery. Visitation will be on Tuesday, April 2, 2024 from 12 PM to 7 PM with family present from 5 PM to 7 PM at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home. Adams & Swanson Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.