Karen L. Johnson

With deep sadness, we share the passing of Karen Lea (Maish) Johnson, age 58, Galesburg, Illinois, who passed away unexpectedly on December 20, 2024, at her home. 

Karen was born on January 23, 1966, in Anderson, Indiana, the daughter of the late Richard “Dick” Maish and the late Patricia “Pat” (Williams) Maish. 

Karen graduated from Anderson High School (Anderson, Indiana) in 1984. She worked various jobs around Anderson before moving to Orlando, Florida in 1991. There, she met the love of her life, her husband Daniel (Dan) L. Johnson. They married on May 8, 2004, and settled into Winter Springs, FL. She worked for a couple different collection agencies, lastly with Sterling and King in Castleberry, FL. In 2013, they made the decision to move to Galesburg, IL to be closer to family. Karen worked for Way Insurance for several years before embarking on her own as a private healthcare insurance agent. She had her own business for many years, building it from the ground up. She often mentioned her clients were her friends, so she was very careful to ensure she helped get them into the best coverage plan as possible. Karen also worked at OSF St. Mary’s Medical Center in Galesburg, IL. 

In lieu of children, Karen and Dan raised dogs and oh, did she love her dogs. Harley, KD, and Max have all crossed the rainbow bridge. Hudson, their 2-year-old Aussie-Poodle, stole her heart from the onset and was her ‘baby’. 

Survivors include her husband, Daniel (Dan) L. Johnson and her beloved puppy, Hudson; sister, Carol (Maish) Niksch of Lowell, IN; brother, Jeff (Steve) Maish-Ramirez of Albuquerque, NM; mother-in-law, Mary Johnson of Silvis, IL; extended family member, Diana Stephens of Anderson, IN and family; uncles, Ronald (the late Lance Grahlfs) Maish of Corunna, IN, Mike (Fran) Williams of Elwood, IN, Steve (Ruth) Williams of Noblesville, IN; aunts, Rose Neppl of Peoria, IL, Kathy Williams of Malin, OR; brothers-in-law, Tom (the late Phyllis) Johnson of Andover, IL, Marty (Suzanne) Johnson of Hillsborough, NC; sister-in-law, Malia (Steve Knochenmus) Owens of Andover, IL; several nieces and nephews that were so dear to her heart, Hunter and Peyton Niksch of Lowell, IN, Kelly (Scott) Peterson and family of Orion, IL, Kevin Johnson and family of Andover, IL, Ashley (Tyler) Horberg of Cambridge, IL, Destiny Knochenmus of Rock Island, IL, Corey Johnson of Charlottesville, NC, Sara (Eoin) Walsh of Vass, NC. She also leaves behind so many cousins and close friends that were more like family. 

Karen was preceded in death by her mother, Patricia (Williams) Maish; father, Richard “Dick” Maish; paternal grandfather, James “Jim” Maish and paternal grandmother, Winifred (Nolte) Maish; maternal grandfather, Eugene Williams and maternal grandmother, Charlotte (Idle) Williams; father-in-law, Elmer W. Johnson. 

Karen met friends wherever she went. She had a million-dollar smile and an infectious laugh. If you were lucky enough to know her, you would know that she was wickedly funny with her witty one liners and jokes. She was also super lucky playing the machines and she always referred to it as “Maish Luck”. Although our hearts are broken and we will miss her so very, very much, we can only imagine the reunion she is having in heaven with those that have gone before us. 

Funeral services will be 4 p.m. Sunday December 29, 2024, at Esterdahl Funeral Home, 1301 – 4th Street, Orion, IL. Visitation will be from 1-4 p.m. prior to the services at the funeral home. Cremation rites will follow services. The funeral service will be live streamed, and the link can be found at the bottom of Karen’s obituary at esterdahl.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Knox County Humane Society Memorial, #9770, 1855 Windish Drive, Galesburg, IL 61401, Office (309) 342-1275.