LaVonne H. Johnson

LaVonne “Vonnie” Helen Johnson, 83, passed away peacefully on Friday, May 22, 2026, in Glenview, Illinois. She was born on July 24, 1942, in Starbuck, Minnesota, and resided in Lowry, Minnesota, through graduation from high school. Vonnie attended Bethel University in St. Paul, Minnesota, and later in life earned her undergraduate and master’s degrees in education from Minnesota State University, Mankato. She met her husband Charles “Pastor Chuck” Johnson on a year-long program called Covenant Caravan, an eight-person ministry team that travelled the U.S. providing churches with Christian education programs, music ministry and worship support. Vonnie had a zeal for Christian ministry, which was matched by her lifelong ministry partner. Together Vonnie and Pastor Chuck served God and congregations in seven Evangelical Covenant churches: Rainy River Covenant Church (Baudette, MN), Ravenswood Covenant Church (Chicago, IL), Bethany Covenant Church (Stillwater, MN), Vista Evangelical Covenant Church (New Richland, MN), Living Waters/First Covenant Church (Worthington, MN), First Covenant Church (Fort Dodge, IA) and Libertyville Covenant Church (Libertyville, IL). She loved welcoming new members and hosting meals and open houses in her home for friends, family out-of-town visitors and church members. She was known for her gifts of hospitality, creativity, music, baking, organization, spending time in fellowship with family and friends, and the joy of a good story. Vonnie had a deep passion for Christian life and community, especially early child education. She served as author and director of children’s Christmas programs, children’s musicals and Vacation Bible School programs. She founded a preschool as a part of the ministry of First Covenant Church in Worthington, Minnesota. It was here, in partnership with Pastor Chuck that she lovingly provided early childhood education to many children over the years. Later in life, she enjoyed working as a dental assistant and office manager for a dental practice in Fort Dodge, Iowa. Following retirement, she and Chuck thrived while living at Saddlebrook Farms in Grayslake, Illinois where they enjoyed time with neighbors, children, grandchildren and members and fellow seniors at Libertyville Covenant Church. Following the death of her husband, Vonnie moved to Covenant Living of Northbrook where she made new and deeply treasured friends, cared for her personal vegetable and flower gardens, joined the bell choir, learned how to staff the audio visual sound board at events, enthusiastically and prolifically learned to paint, hosted fireside gatherings for fellow residents of the Maple building, and celebrated the community as a new resident host and buddy. The peonies and daylilies she planted during that time return each spring outside her former apartment. She is survived by her two children, Renee (Mike) Johnson Borkowski and Bret (Susan) Johnson; and six grandchildren, John and Katy Borkowski, and Mickiah, Caleb, Ephraim and Josiah Johnson. She was preceded in death by her mother, Emily Bjorklund, and beloved husband, Rev. Charles “Pastor Chuck” Johnson (2016). She dedicated her life to her family as a loving wife, mother, sister-in-law, cousin, and enthusiastic grandmother. A Celebration of Life service will be held Friday, June 12, 2026 at 3 p.m. in the Fellowship Center of Covenant Living of Northbrook at 2625 Techny Road, Northbrook, Illinois. A brief reception will follow. Her ashes will be interred with her husband at the columbarium at Libertyville Covenant Church. To continue Vonnie’s enduring legacy of care and compassion, you are invited to support the Benevolent Care Fund at Covenant Living of Northbrook in her memory (2625 Techny Road, Northbrook, IL 60062). A memorial gift provides confidential financial assistance for residents who, through no fault of their own, have outlived their resources and helps ensure that neighbors in Vonnie’s beloved community continue to receive the care and support they need. Arrangements are provided by Burnett-Dane Funeral Home in Libertyville. For information, call 847-362-3009 or share a memory at www.burnettdane.com.

LaVonne H. Johnson

July 24, 1942 - May 22, 2026