Sharon Kay Johnson

Sharon Kay (Horsley) Johnson, age 85, of New Hampton, Iowa, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Sunday, June 7, 2026, at Accura HealthCare of New Hampton. 

Friends may greet the family from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 11, 2026, at the Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home & Crematory in New Hampton. A 7:00 p.m. service will follow the visitation with Rev. Cory Orr of Prairie Lakes Church presiding. 

A private family interment will take place at the New Hampton Cemetery. 

Born on July 7, 1940, Sharon was the daughter of Irene Hatcher Horsley Hanson and was lovingly raised by her great aunt and uncle, Roy “Joppy” and Hattie Hatcher. Sharon spent her entire life living at the same address in New Hampton. The large red brick house that once stood there was her childhood home. She later raised her own family there before building a new home in its place. 

Sharon was part of the New Hampton High School Class of 1958 and later proudly completed her high school education and received her diploma. On December 14, 1957, Sharon married Walter “Wally” Johnson. Together they built a family and shared nearly twenty years of marriage before Wally’s untimely passing in 1977.  

For many years, Sharon worked in the meat departments of local grocery stores. During those years she met a teenager who loved to tease her. She could not have known then that he would one day become her grandson-in-law, Jason, and a cherished member of her family. 

Sharon was fiercely independent and self-reliant, not one to ask for help. She treasured time spent with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. She loved hearing about their lives and creating memories through many family gatherings. Her children will miss the long visits in her home and the car rides they shared with her. 

Sharon found happiness in life’s simple pleasures and was content with what she loved and knew. She loved getting a bargain at garage sales and had a love for decorating. She used the phrase, “Everything has a place, and there is a place for everything.” An avid reader, she loved going to the library. She read hundreds of books each year on her Kindle, with her favorite being cozy mystery novels. Sharon was comfortable with technology and spent time learning and using it. She loved cardinals and what they symbolized. Her very favorite color was green. Her family will remember her sense of humor, as she was always ready with a witty comeback or comment.  

Those who knew Sharon knew that a cold Diet Coke and her favorite Pall Mall 100s were never far from reach. These basic joys became part of her everyday routine. 

She is survived by her daughter, Barb (Dave) Snyder; sons Steve (Kathy) Johnson, Randy Johnson, and Ricky (Susan Wurzer) Johnson; 8 grandchildren: Tori (Jason) Reicherts, Mike (Melissa) Johnson, Michelle Snyder, Erin (Jeremy) Moorman, Christopher (Lisa) Johnson, Jenna (Will) Corcoran, Laura Johnson, Jared Johnson; 20 great-grandchildren; and 3 great-great-grandchildren, with 2 more expected soon. She also leaves behind one half brother, Scott Hanson; two half sisters, Karen Davis and Melody (Frank) Armstrong; one brother-in-law, Lowell (Bunny) Johnson; many nieces and nephews. Her family was the source of her deepest pride and joy. 

Sharon was preceded in death by her mother, Irene Hanson; her great uncle and aunt, Roy “Joppy” Hatcher and Hattie Hatcher; her husband, Walter Johnson; her half brother, Victor Hanson; her grandson, Jesse Johnson; and her granddaughter, Nikki Johnson Schluetter; sisters-in-law Donna Hatting, Darlys Cutsforth, and Helen Stolfus; and brother-in-law Wayne Davis. 

Though her presence will be profoundly missed, she will be loved forever and remembered always in every cardinal that unexpectedly appears.