Priscilla (Pixie) Jean Johnson passed away peacefully, but unexpectedly, on Saturday, January 20, 2024 at St Paul's Elder Services - Rehabilitation Center in Kaukauna, WI,  at 79 years of age.

Pixie was born on April 15, 1944 in Richland Center, WI, the daughter of Hilbert and Opal (Martin) Hankins. Her early years were spent in Gays Mills, WI until the family moved back to Hilbert's hometown of Reedsburg, WI in 1951. She graduated from Webb High School in Reedsburg, WI  as a part of the Class of 1962. Soon after she moved, with her best friend (and cousin) Marian to Madison, where she worked at Rennebohm's Drug Store #1 on University Ave.  It was in Madison that she would meet and marry Robert Johnson, Jr on February 12, 1965. They were divorced in 1981. Pixie and Bob had one son, Chris.

When her family moved to the Fox River Valley (living in Little Chute, Combined Locks and Appleton over the years), Pixie started work at K-Mart, a job she held until the store closed. She then began working at WalMart, at the service desk until her retirement. Even after years of retirement, people still recognized Pixie and remembered her kindness and compassion in helping folks.

Pixie, in her later years, dealt with numerous health issues - from complications of diabetes, congestive heart failure, kidney failure, kidney dialysis. Any one of these would have been more than enough to bear. Yet, Pixie faced them all - sometimes at the same time - and she never backed down and she never gave up. She was determined to live her life as best she could for as long as she could. And she did so - courageously, faithfully and lovingly! All who knew her, shared life with her and loved her were touched by her sense of humor, her care for others and her deep love of her family. Pixie, in the ways she lived her life, touched more lives than she would ever realize.

Pixie was one of the best moms a person could ask for. She gave way more than she had, she always had a good spirit and loved life, right to the very end fighting every challenge. She deeply loved her family and closest friends.

Pixie was a proud member of the Fay Robinson Chapter, DAR - as was her mother Opal before her.

Pixie is survived by her son, Chris; her grandson Allen (Brandy); her great-grandchildren Arianna, Wyatt, Kratos and Dimitri; her brother and sister-in-law, Rev. David and Kathy Hankins; her nephew and niece Nicholas Hankins and Sarah Hankins and numerous cousins and co-workers.

Pixie was preceded in death by her parents, Hilbert and Opal; her beloved grandparents Glen and Florence (Bown) Martin and Guy and Gussa (Kimmel) Hankins; her best friend and cousin Marian; and many aunts and uncles.

Her journey of life began in Richland Center to Gays Mills to Reedsburg - with layovers at the farms near Steuben and Lynxville - to Madison - and to the Fox River Valley. Soon, she will be making her way "back home to her favorite place" of Gays Mills, being laid to rest near her parents and grandparents and other family members.

A "Celebration of Life" is being planned for August 10, 2024 at the Portage Presbyterian Church in Portage, WI.

A special note of gratitude for the loving care and support that Joyce gave to Pixie. Because of you she was able to truly enjoy her second lease on life these last few years.  You were a a "gift of God" to Pixie and her family. Your care, support, trips, games, lunches, laughter and presence made all the difference for Pixie - and will never, ever be forgotten by her family, of which you will always be a part.

And a note of gratitude to the nurses and techs at the Dialysis Center and the doctors, nurses and caring staff at St. Paul's who walked with Pixie over these last few years - and whose deep trust in them was reflected in the ways and times you were caring for her, providing her hope and encouragement -  who never gave up on her - and who helped her through some very difficult times.

In lieu of flowers, and to help others, Pixie's family requests that you consider making a donation in her memory - to any of these causes: Kidney, Heart, Dialysis, Cerebral Palsy or St. Jude's

And one more thing - "Follow Your Heart!"