Shelley Jean Johnson

(as told by her mom, Bonnie)

Shelley Jean Johnson, age 60,  went to Heaven very peacefully on Saturday, July 17, 2021, after suffering courageously from Parkinson’s Disease for many years.

Shelley (Machovsky) Johnson was born in Grand Forks, ND on September 5, 1960.  Her parents lived in Grand Forks for a time and Shelley welcomed a baby brother, Todd.  The family then moved to Inkster when brother Jeff entered the family, then in 1968 moved to Gilby, ND where Shelley completed her education at Gilby and Midway schools.  She was delighted to welcome a little sister, Nicole, in 1970.

Shelley had a caring heart and desired to become a nurse, so she attended Devil’s Lake JC and graduated as a Licensed Practical Nurse in 1979.  She enjoyed nursing very much and worked at United Hospital and Lutheran Sunset Home while attending Oak Hills Bible College.

Shelley always had a spirit of adventure, so in 1981 she left for Arizona after receiving a job offer.  She packed up her little yellow Volkswagen Rabbit, which started the exodus of the whole family to Arizona.  She loved Arizona, spending time hiking, shopping (lots of shopping) and seeing friends.  But always she looked to God.  Her life changed when Steven Johnson asked me for her hand in marriage.

Part II – by Steven Johnson (proud husband)

Why she ever agreed to Marry Steven Johnson on the 11 ^th of November of 1995 in sunny Arizona will remain a bit of a mystery but to this day I do not believe she realized what she was getting herself into!!  Surrounded by friends and family for the last 14years she was forced to drive a U-haul to San Jose, California to start a new home and a circle of friends.  Wedded bliss in California with the lulling of the ocean surf was hard to come by… but after several calls home to family that said she had to stay she realized it was meant to be!  California ended up not being the place to start a family and after a couple of years with the blame placed solely on her husband Houston, Texas was the newfound land.

Texas was really the start of two people working together, saving for a home, and starting a family!  Close friends were made over the course of ten years along with Alexa Nicole being welcomed in a new house on the 22 of February 2000.  The family continued to grow with the addition of Andrew Steven on the 27 ^th of October 2002!  During the time spent in Texas Shelley was met with military deployments, Down’s syndrome, and the initial diagnosis of “aggressive early onset Parkinson’s” with the strength of character that came from her foundation in Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior!!  Texas was not meant to be the final resting stop but just a steppingstone to prayer, understanding, and her husband accepting the blame of moving the family to Denver, Colorado.

The move to Denver was one of excitement, new home, and new challenges!  Shelley spared no time in creating our home with introducing the kids into their new schools, developing a foundation of belief for the entire family, and developing a new circle of friends all while struggling with the continuing debilitation of Parkinson’s symptoms.  Her strength was a testament to her faith and too all of those around her!  She faced surgeries and medications with a smile and confidence that was never quenched.  Her strength came from a shared verse, Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

We all hear that we can take comfort in the fact that she is in Heaven with a NEW body free from Parkinson’s disease but…  for those of us left behind it does not take away missing her voice, laughter, her comforting spirit, building a future, and sharing what life brings our way.  I miss you My Honey and I feel lost without you as my purpose!  I look forward to seeing you one day with the shining smile, the sparkle in your hazel green eyes, and your everlasting spirit!

She is survived by her husband Seven Johnson, daughter Alexa and son Andrew. Siblings Nicole (Hans) Hansen, Todd Machovsky and Jeff Machovsky.  Mother and stepfather Bonnie and Charlie Betts, Grandmother Sheila Machovsky, Uncle John Hancock, Father-in-Law, Robert Johnson, Aunts Vicky Bakke, Debbie Danner, Uncles Danny, Dallas, and Rick Machovsky as well as many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her father, Larry Machovsky.

SERVICES will be Saturday, September 18, 2021 at 11 a.m. in the Inkster, ND, Presbyterian Church.

INTERMENT will be private in the Prairie Home Cemetery in Gilby, ND.

We, the family of Shelley Johnson wish to sincerely thank you for honoring Shelley with your presence and acts of kindness and prayers.  We welcome everyone to enjoy refreshments, a special thank you to Kelly and Jay Thoreson for providing them.