Dorothy Mae Johnson was a loving wife, mom and grandma. She passed away at the age of 89 on Sunday, September 7, 2025, at Big Meadows nursing home in Savanna, Illinois, surrounded by her loving family. A funeral service will be held Sunday, September 14, 2025, at 2 pm at the Hope Methodist Church in Chadwick, Illinois. A visitation will be held prior to the service from 1-2 pm, also at the church. Burial will take place in the Lower York cemetery in Thomson, Illinois.

Dorothy was born on December 2, 1935, in Morrison, Illinois, the daughter of Grace (Grumstrup) and Henry Newendyke. Dorothy graduated from Chadwick high school in 1953 and attended Rockford School of Business. Dorothy married Howard Paul Johnson on June 25, 1954, in Chadwick, Illinois and immediately moved to Anchorage Alaska while Howard served in the army during the Korean Conflict. While there, Dorothy worked for the Alaska Weather Bureau. They returned to Argo Fay, Illinois in 1956 and began farming and started their family. They continued farming in Lena in 1960 where Dorothy worked at local hospitals and nursing homes. They returned to the Newendyke home farm in 1967 in Chadwick, Illinois, where they lived until their passing. Dorothy worked for 27 years from 1970 - 1997 in the office at the Morrison Community Hospital until she retired. Dorothy was a member of the Hope Methodist Church in Chadwick and the Carroll County Republican Women. Dorothy enjoyed her time serving on the Carroll County Women's Sheriff's Auxiliary.

Dorothy is survived by three children; Mark (Deanna) Johnson of Lanark , Illinois , David Johnson of Beloit , Wisconsin, and Carole Zickau (Jim Cook) of Mt. Carroll , Illinois ; seven grandchildren, Erin (Tad) Foster, Jocelyn (Matt) Lilly, Katelyn (Jason) Alvarado, Jay Zickau, Grant, Garrett, and Gavin Johnson ; six great grandchildren , Emilee Derrer, Presley Alvarado, Brycen Zickau, Macie Lilly, Brantley and Riggsly Foster. She is also survived by two brothers, Paul (Nancy) Newendyke of Sun Lakes, Arizona and Henry (Sally) Newendyke of Norfolk, Nebraska. Dorothy's beloved Havanese dog Gracie joined Dorothy in heaven the day after Dorothy's passing. Memorials may be made to Hope Methodist Church in Chadwick, Illinois and Big Meadows Nursing Home Connections Unit in Savanna, Illinois.