Tamara Johnson

OBITUARY Tamara ?Tammy? Marie Johnson was born on July 23, 1965 in Parkers Prairie, MN the daughter of Lloyd and Rhennea (Bowman) Johnson. She graduated from Jefferson High School in Alexandria in 1983 and then continued her education at St. Paul Technical College. Tammy and her daughter DeAnn moved back to Alexandria where she spent summer days with her daughter on local lakes swimming and soaking up the sun. She worked for Anderson Florist, Service Master, cleaned resorts and homes, and also as a bartender for different restaurants in the Alexandria area. Tammy met the love of her life, Dave Teal in 1990 and then moved to Minneapolis. Dave surprised her at the top of Pike?s Peak in Colorado with an engagement ring in 1996. Together they found a home in Rosemount, MN where Tammy was able to care for a garden and keep a manicured lawn. She had been working summers at Bachman?s farm in Lakeville as a clerk and on the sales floor. She also helped Dave in his business by laying brick and stone. A November wedding was planned for this year. Besides being outdoors Tammy liked to play Bingo. She also liked boating on the Mississippi River and spending time with Dave and her family and friends. Tammy?s joy in her life was her grandson Ethan. She loved watching him grow and spending as much time as she could with him. Tammy took little Ethan outside and worked side by side in the garden pulling weeds with matching gloves. She had him ride with her on the lawn mower and on the skid loader to move dirt or snow. She was a caring and sensitive woman who was considerate to those around her. Tammy also took interest in DeAnn?s mentally challenged clients by keeping a special spot in her garden for them to tend to. She also invited DeAnn and her clients to her home for a Christmas party this past year. Tammy had four loving and protective brothers and a caring mother who taught her how to take care of herself and be happy in life. She used those lessons to teach her daughter how live life to the fullest with love and happiness. Although Tamara?s life continues to give as her organs were donated to others throughout the country, she will be sadly missed by those who knew and loved her. Tamara M. Johnson died on Friday, January 21, 2011 at Regions Hospital in St. Paul, MN. She is survived by her daughter DeAnn Johnson and her grandson Ethan of Coon Rapids, MN; fianc� Dave Teal of Rosemount, MN; mother Rhennea Johnson of Alexandria; brothers Brian (Ella) Johnson of Anchorage, Alaska; Kevin (Janice) Johnson of Morris, MN; Perry Johnson and partner Keith Balaski of Minneapolis, MN; Jamie Johnson of Mounds View, MN; numerous cousins and nieces and Dave?s three daughters and eight grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her father Lloyd Johnson and nieces Megan and Erin Johnson. A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, January 28, 2011 at 12:30PM at the Anderson Funeral Home Chapel with the Reverend Marilee Bergerson officiating. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service on Friday. Arrangements are with the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria. www.andersonfuneral.net