Debra Lea Johnson's Obituary
Debra "Debbe" Hurt Johnson, 71, passed away peacefully on March 12, 2024, at Iris Memory Care, in Dallas, Texas. She was born on March 24, 1952, in Quincy, Illinois, to James Lee and L. Louise [Waggener] Hurt. Debbe was a kind and loving mother, aunt, and grandmother. She is survived by her sons Grant Johnson (Nicole) and Lee Johnson (Megan), her grandsons Ethan and Henry Johnson, nephew Mitchell Voss and niece Anne Voss McLouth (Travis). Debbe was preceded in death by her infant brother, Danny, her parents, and Scott Johnson.
Debbe graduated from Augustana College in 1974 with a bachelor’s degree in Art History. Her passion for art led to a career in elementary art education which began in Tuscola, Illinois. She went on to spend the majority of her 23 year teaching career at Kildeer Countryside School District 96 in the Northwest Chicago suburbs. During her time teaching she also continued her own education by earning her Master’s of Education degree from the University of Illinois.
Throughout her life, Debbe enjoyed traveling with family and friends, art activities, participating in knitting groups, volunteering, frequenting art museums, and visiting botanical gardens. Her kindness knew no bounds. And she loved to dance. A Celebration of Life honoring Debbe will be held later this year in the Chicago area. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to The Augustana Fund at Augustana College (https://www.augustana.edu/giving) or the Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org). She is loved and dearly missed.
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