Shari Johnson, 73, has gone home, leaving behind a circle of those who loved her.
A life remembered begins, simply, with the telling.
Shari's story began in 1948, and unfolded across the years that followed.
Time has its way of binding people together.
Shari Johnson, 73 of Salem, passed away on July 29, 2021 surrounded by her loving family. Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 PM Sunday, August 1, 2021 at Hofmeister-Jones Funeral Home in Parker, with a Prayer Service starting at 7:00 PM. The prayer service will be livestreamed at https://www.facebook.com/HofmeisterJonesFuneralHome/ . In Lieu of Flowers, memorials may be directed to the family, which will be given to a charity in memory of Shari. Arrangements provided by Hofmeister-Jones Funeral Home. The public is asked to wear purple or their Team Shari shirts to visitation. Shari Lee Johnson passed away peacefully on July 29, 2021 surrounded by her family. She was diagnosed with Colon Cancer in November of 2019. She fought Cancer like she lived life, with quiet strength and determination, however Cancer sucks and fights dirty. Shari was born on February 7th, 1948 in Vermilion, South Dakota to Sidney and Evelyn (Johnson) Hope. She attended Prairie Bell Country School, rural Vermillion for her elementary education. She attended and graduated from Vermillion High School. She was a member of the VHS Class of 1966, the first class to graduate from the new high school. She met the love of her life, Gilbert Johnson, and married him on November 1st, 1968. To this union three girls were born: Hope (Scott) Andal of Salem, SD; Jennifer (Brian) Eli of Centerville, SD; and Sara (Scott) Meyer of Lennox, SD. She was blessed with 8 grandchildren: Cody Manning, Landry Andal, Alisha Lubben (Farid Walipour), Taylor Eli (Brittnie Nordmann), Zackary Eli, Jaeden Eli, Lillian Meyer and Stella Meyer. Gilbert and Shari worked together farming and raised pigs, sheep and horses. Throughout the years Shari worked at Toby's in Meckling, Ole's Grocery in Hurley, and was Produce Manager at Jones' Food in Parker. She also cleaned hotel rooms in Sioux Falls with daughter Sara and then was "Daycare Grandma Shari" at daughter Hope's daycare. She enjoyed running her concession stands during the barrel races at Salem. Shari loved animals, camping, fishing and the Annual "Turkey Hunting" with her son-in-laws. Spending time with her family and going to their events was a highlight for her – especially being able to cheer and yell her "GO, GO, GO!" at horse events. Family events were very important to her, whether it was enjoying the river on the 4th of July, talking her daughter Jenn through cooking the perfect turkey at Thanksgiving or being with with everyone during the Christmas season. Grateful for having shared her life were her children, grandchildren, step-brother Larry (Catherine) Piersol, step-sister Linda Lillabridge, and their children and several favorite cousins and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, step-father Ralph Piersol, and step-brother-in law John Lillabridge.
