Donna Lenz Johnson, 76, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.
Donna was born on April 11, 1948, in Ida Grove, Iowa to Howard and Millie Lenz. She grew up with her sister Carol on their family farm near Schleswig, Iowa, graduating from Schleswig High School in 1966. She then attended the University of South Dakota where she met and married Glen Johnson, with whom she had two daughters, Jami & Jackie.

After moving to Rapid City in 1972, Donna returned to college and earned both a Bachelor of Science degree and a Masters degree in Mathematics from South Dakota School of Mines & Technology, graduating with highest honors. She then continued her years at "Tech" as a beloved and exceptional professor of mathematics before retiring in 2003.

As much as Donna loved teaching and math, her biggest passion was her family. She was at her happiest when she was shopping, traveling, or having coffee at the Millstone with her daughters or friends. She was also the proudest, most devoted grandma, and thanks to a miraculous lung transplant she received in 2009, she was able to be their number one cheerleader at countless sporting events, dance recitals, and quite literally every single school function imaginable that her grandchildren were ever a part of. She was eternally grateful for the gift of her new lung and became a strong advocate for organ donation, even participating in several "donor walks" with her daughters.

Another gift for which Donna was eternally grateful was her love of 36 years, Mick Wysuph. Whether they were playing golf, traveling with friends, cheering on grandkids or the USD Coyotes, or simply sitting RIGHT next to each other on their couch, Donna and Mick were always having the best time together. She adored his two children, Mike and Michelle, and their families and cherished trips to Colorado and annual snowmobiling weekends with them.

Donna was an active member of South Canyon Lutheran Church for over 50 years and loved serving in various ways over the decades. She was involved with altar guild, weekly Bible studies, Christmas servant events, Clothe-a-Kid events, and most recently Free Lunch Fridays. She had the most generous heart and was always looking for ways to give to others.

Grateful to have shared her life are Mick Wysuph of Rapid City, daughter, Jami (Sean) Casey of Anthem, AZ, daughter Jackie (Michael) Schad of Rapid City, and grandchildren Jackson Schad and Grant Casey, both of Flagstaff, AZ, Josef Schad of Rapid City, and Jenna Casey of Anthem, AZ. She is also survived by her beloved sister Carol Lenz Gugat of Colorado Springs, CO, Mick's children Michelle (Bradley) Williams of Rapid City, and Mike, Rachel, Baylan, & Lillian Wysuph of Broomfield, CO. She was preceded in death by her parents, Howard & Millie Lenz.
A memorial service will be held on Sunday, March 16, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at South Canyon Lutheran Church in Rapid City, South Dakota with a reception to follow at Arrowhead Country Club.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to Feeding South Dakota or Humane Society of the Black Hills.

To view the memorial service livestreamed, please visit the following link: Click Here