Rhonda Kaye Johnson, age 71, of Bricelyn, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on April 7, 2026. The family will be holding a celebration of life for Rhonda and her son Jesse at Bricelyn Lutheran Church in Bricelyn, MN on Saturday, June 27, 2026 from 2:00-5:00pm.

She was born on January 27, 1955 to Arlet and Lewayne Woodwick, and spent her life caring for others with a gentle spirit, a protective heart, and a quiet strength that defined her. Rhonda married the love of her life, Dennis Johnson, and together they shared 53 years of partnership, family, and devotion. Their life together was built on loyalty, resilience, and a deep commitment to the people they loved.

Rhonda devoted herself to her family, her community, and her church. She had a lifelong gift for taking care of people—offering help before it was asked for, standing up for those who needed a voice, and fighting for what she believed was right. Though soft-spoken by nature, she never hesitated to speak up in the face of injustice, and those who knew her admired her courage as much as her kindness.

She took great pride in her garden, tending it with the same patience and care she offered to everyone around her. One of her proudest accomplishments was organizing the funding, and overseeing the installation of the community garden in Bricelyn, a project that continues to nourish and bring people together.

After the passing of their son Jason, Rhonda and Dennis poured their hearts into creating and running the Fourth of July Car Show in Bricelyn in his memory. What began as a tribute to their son became a beloved community tradition—one that brought people together, celebrated local pride, and honored Jason’s life year after year. She especially loved cruising in Dennis’s ’69 Camaro, a car that held countless memories and became a symbol of the joy and connection the event brought to the community. Her dedication ensured the event thrived, and it stands as one of the most meaningful legacies she leaves behind.

Rhonda’s compassion extended far beyond her own family. She worked in a juvenile detention setting and provided daycare services, forming deep, lasting bonds with many of the young people she cared for. Some of the troubled teens she supported, and many of the children she nurtured over the years, came to lovingly call her “Mom.” Her ability to make others feel seen, safe, and valued was one of her greatest gifts.

A hardworking and creative entrepreneur, Rhonda owned and operated her own tanning salon and provided a wide range of services to her community, including painting, wallpaper installation and removal, and refinishing antique furniture. She and her husband Dennis also refinished and sold antique furniture together, and created and sold their own handmade furniture pieces and decorative items. Their shop became more than a workspace—it grew into a nightly gathering place where friends and family would stop in to visit, share stories, and enjoy each other’s company.

Rhonda also carried on her mother’s lefsa tradition, making batches every year around Christmastime using Arlet’s recipe. She sold lefsa to friends and neighbors throughout the community, a gesture that became a cherished seasonal ritual and a way she shared a piece of her family’s heritage with others.

Rhonda was also a lifelong, unwavering supporter of the Minnesota Vikings. Through every season—good, bad, and everything in between—she cheered with loyalty and heart, a true fan to the end.

Rhonda is survived by her husband Dennis; her eldest son Jeremy and his long time partner Carrie; and her grandson Dakota. She is also survived by her grandchildren Taylor, Jace, and Nicholas, children of her late son Jason, and his wife Melissa; and Jaylee, Jazlyn, and Jameson, children of her late son Jesse, and his longtime partner Megan Terry. She is further survived by her sister Dawn Haskins.

She was preceded in death by her sons Jason and Jesse; her brothers Paul “Ticker” Christensen and Dennis Woodwick; Arlet and Harold Christensen; Lewayne Woodwick; and many other loved ones who shaped her life and whom she held close to her heart.

Rhonda’s legacy lives on in the people she cared for, the community she strengthened, and the family she loved with her whole heart. She will be remembered for her compassion, her resilience, and the quiet but powerful way she made the world better. Services are currently being planned and will be announced at a later date.