Anna Joy Johanson, age 73, of Valley Springs, South Dakota, passed away on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, at the Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Her funeral service was at 10 a.m. Monday, Nov. 24, 2025, at American Reformed Church in Luverne, Minnesota. Family present visitation was from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025, at American Reformed Church, Luverne, Minnesota. Interment was at the Swedona Covenant Cemetery, rural Brandon, South Dakota.
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Anna Joy Vande Weerd was born Feb. 1, 1952, in Brookings, South Dakota, to Nick and Clara (Kooiker) Vande Weerd. She was the second-born to five children. As a child Anna moved a lot, living in Iowa, California and finally settling in Bruce, South Dakota. Anna attended country school and rode her favorite horse Blue Boy to school. Anna did all the cooking for her family at a young age as her mother worked out of the home. Anna graduated in 1970 from Sioux Valley High School in Volga, South Dakota, and then attended Stewarts Beauty School.
In December 1971 while Anna was working as a hairstylist, a young Navy sailor came into the salon she was working at. David Johanson had heard about Anna from her brother John Vande Weerd while stationed in Adak, Alaska, and decided to come meet her. Soon after meeting, David deployed to Guam for a year. They continued their relationship through weekly letters and when David returned, they dated and quickly became engaged. They were married on Sept. 28, 1973, in Volga, South Dakota. In 2025 they celebrated 52 years of marriage.
Anna and Dave made their home on the family farm near Valley Springs, South Dakota. During this time, Anna worked at the Minnehaha County Courthouse in Sioux Falls until their daughter Kristie Lynn was born in 1975, followed by Jennifer Ann in 1978, and Laurie Clara in 1982.
As a young wife, Anna was busy helping on the farm and raising their family. There was nothing Anna could not do. If she decided then with her determination the job got done. In 1994 Anna attended Southeast Technical School and got a degree. She then began working in town for a few years. In 2009 Anna decided she would rather work on the farm with Dave and returned to full time farming. Anna enjoyed traveling to numerous places, such as The Grand Canyon, Yellowstone National Park, Alaska, and camping at her beloved Rafter J Bar Ranch Campground in the Black Hills. Anna also enjoyed quilting, baking, riding bike, and driving her own tractor doing field work. She also loved gardening and her flower pots.
Anna became a grandmother and cherished every moment with her grandkids. She loved spending time with them and her greatest blessings called her grandma. Anna loved the Lord and prayed for her family daily.
Grateful for having shared her life are her husband, David Johanson of Valley Springs, South Dakota; daughters, Kristie Johanson of Luverne, Minnesota; Jennifer (Jeff) Thompson of Valley Springs, South Dakota; and Laurie Rath of Brandon, South Dakota; seven grandchildren, David and Charlotte Happeny of Luverne, Minnesota, Ryan and Carson Thompson of Valley Springs, South Dakota, Allison, Abraham and Ivory Rath of Brandon, South Dakota; her brothers, John (Linda) Vande Weerd of Bruce, South Dakota, Lee (Sandy Probst) Vande Weerd of Bruce, South Dakota, Rich (Julie) Vande Weerd of Bruce, South Dakota; and her sister, Joyce (Loryn) Klumper of Wahpeton, North Dakota; and a host of many other relatives and friends.
Anna was preceded in death by her parents, Nick and Clara Vande Weerd; and her niece, Jessica Vande Weerd.
