Barbara “Barb” Sue (Van Wyk) Johnson, 68, went home to be with our Lord and Savior on Mar. 4, 2021, after complications due to years of health issues that began in 2002. Her devotion to her family and her firm belief in Jesus Christ gave her strength over the years.
Visitation will be Friday, Mar. 12, 5-7 p.m. at Bradshaw-Stillwater Funeral Home, 2800 Curve Crest Blvd., Stillwater, MN. Funeral service will be Saturday, Mar. 13, at 2 p.m. at Grace Church, 716 S. Robert St., Grantsburg, WI. For those unable to attend in person, a livestream broadcast of the service will be available on the funeral home’s website.
Barb was born to Wilburn and Frances (Kooistra) Van Wyk on Mar. 26, 1952, in Oskaloosa. From the moment she could talk, Barb showed love to everyone she met and never held back her generous spirit. At a very young age, she was taught to love the Lord, and she never forgot that. Her faith carried her through life.
After graduating from Lynnville-Sully High School in 1970, Barb went on to Oak Hills Bible College in Bemidji, MN. It was there that she met her first husband. Together they had two daughters, Noelle and Katie. Years later, the two divorced. Barb found love again in 1995 when she met her husband Paul Johnson while attending Bethel University working on her bachelor’s degree. Paul and Barb married on the shores of the Atlantic in Kennebunkport, ME, on Sept. 4, 1996. Barb and Paul had a true fairytale love story, and their love for each other was evident to everyone that came in contact with them.
In addition to being a dedicated wife and loving mother, Barb also enjoyed “fixer-upper” projects and creating new things out of old. Her creativity and artistic abilities did not end after becoming ill. She continued to show her love for creating by coloring beautiful pictures daily. Every card she sent for birthdays or anniversaries included one of these priceless pictures, carefully and thoughtfully chosen for the receiver. Barb used her thoughtful, loving nature in her work life as well. Early in her marriage to Paul, she worked as the Victim Witness Coordinator for the Wright County Attorney’s Office. Her positive nature and loving spirit made her a blessing to all she encountered.
Barb joins her parents Wilburn and Frances Van Wyk, and her sister Lois Van Wyk-Draayer in Heaven. She is survived by her husband Paul, her two daughters Noelle (Lee) Little of Pick City, ND, and Katie (Patrick) Bennett of Cottage Grove, MN; three stepchildren Seth (Christin) of White Bear Lake, MN, Adam (Emily) of Roseville, MN, and Amanda Johnson of Little Canada, MN; two brothers Vernon (Loretta) Van Wyk and Bruce (Marg) Van Wyk; one sister Louise (Jim) Walling; 12 grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter on the way.
“I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith” 2 Timothy 4:7.
