Lois’s Story

Site created on May 16, 2023

After dealing with liver cirrhosis due to autoimmune hepatitis for years, Lois had a liver transplant on January 7th, 2023. In April, she was diagnosed with acute rejection of the liver and re-admitted to Mayo. Around the same time she started noticing that her left leg felt “dead.” Ultimately, she was diagnosed with Progressive Multifocal Leukoenephelopathy (PML) caused by the JC Virus (JCV). This is a rare and unfortunately fatal, opportunistic virus that causes demyelination in the brain in people with suppressed immune systems. It is so rare, that Mayo said it is their second case of JCV. 

 

Currently, the brain lesions are in the motor part of her brain and have caused complete hemi-neglect, meaning she has lost most function of her left side and in fact, she is not even aware her left side exists. The neurologists are expecting she will continue to develop more brain lesions as the virus progresses. They have taken her off all immunosuppressants in hope her body can keep the virus in check, but this puts her liver at risk of further damage  from her immune system attacking the donor liver. 

 

The doctors are encouraging her to go into hospice, however, Lois very much wants to fight for her life and she believes God still has a miracle for her. She has chosen to stay at Mayo and she hopes to try some experimental treatments for her liver. 

 

Many of you have reached out and asked how you can help — thank you!  Most important to us is to have people praying for Lois.  We believe in the power of prayer and miraculous healing, but that unified prayer from the entire community is far more powerful.

Also important to us is to have Lois surrounded by those who love her.  We've started a calander to manage time with her and would be happy to make space for you to be with her if you would like.  

To view the calender, click on this link:

https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0?cid=bG9pc3Zpc2l0c0BnbWFpbC5jb20

 

You can log into the account and add visitor events by logging into:

LoisVisits@gmail.com

Password:  visitor11

 

For those that want to give a gift, a GoFundMe is set up to facilitate that. 
https://www.gofundme.com/f/lois-journey


Newest Update

Journal entry by Neil Johnson

On June 24th, before going to sleep, I prayed for miraculous healing for my mom and the response I received is “tomorrow she will be dancing”  

Lois Jean Johnson went home to Jesus on June 25th, 2023 at age 73 and is dancing in heaven. 

Lois was born to Sterling Andrew and Irene Cecelia Johnson on October 24 th, 1949 in Chicago, IL. She grew up in a home filled with the Love of the Lord and amazing examples of how to serve God. Her parents created a home that allowed her a great foundation of following after God. She also enjoyed growing up with her siblings and fondly would recall the joy she had caring for her horses.

Lois attended Bethel College.  While at Bethel she met her future husband, Gregg Allen Johnson.  They eventually married on March 9th, 1974.   Lois and Gregg together had 4 children, Nathan, Nicholas, Natalie and Neil.

Lois created a home that was warm and welcoming, not just for her immediate family, but to all those around her. Her open home and genuine love for others is a common theme that all who knew her speak about. Lois was a tough, resilient and selfless woman and those characterics carried through from a young age all the way up to her last moments here on earth.  She was always putting the needs of otheres before hereself.  She was truly a very special person.

Throughout her entire life, Lois held an unwavering faith in God, which she shared with those

who surrounded her. In asking her what advice or words of wisdom she would like to leave with her family, she said, "Cling to Jesus. It is all that really matters".

 

Lois joins her parents, Sterling and Irene and her sister Faith Naomi in Heaven. She is survived

by her husband Gregg, her children Nathan Johnson, Nicholas (Anna) Johnson, Natalie (Brett) Germain and Neil (Laura) Johnson, her Siblings, Roger (Sharon) Johnson, Mary (Bruce) Campbell and Wallace (Susan) Johnson and her numerous Grandchildren.

 

Lois was a dedicated and loving mother, wife and friend and she will be missed dearly.  We love you Lois.

 

Visitation 5-8 PM Thursday, June 29th at Holcomb-Henry-Boom-Purcell Funeral Home, 515 Hwy 96 W., Shoreview.

 

Memorial Service 1:00PM. Friday, June 30 (gathering 12-1PM) at Grace Point Church 2351 Rice Creek Rd., New Brighton. Reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, we would like to start a Lois Johnson Memorial scholarship at Bethel University. Money can be given to Gregg Johnson via check, cash, or Venmo for the scholarship. Venmo is @johgre8 and last 4 of phone number 9117.

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