Dr. Barbara Johnson

Dr. Barbara Jean Johnson, 76, passed away on Thursday, July 31, 2025, at Sanford USD Medical Center, Sioux Falls, SD.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 18, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Aberdeen, SD, with Father Jordan Samson officiating. Burial was at the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery following Mass. A time for fellowship and luncheon followed burial at the parish hall.
Schriver’s Memorial Mortuary and Crematory, 414 5th Avenue NW, in Aberdeen, was in charge of arrangements. Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at www.schriversmemorial.com.
Dr. Barbara Jean Johnson (Williams) was born in Lincoln on Aug. 21, 1948, to Clifford and Loretta (August) Williams. She graduated from Avon High School in Avon, Connecticut. In 1972, she earned a bachelor of arts in journalism degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and then earned her first master’s degree from the prestigious Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University in Illinois. She earned her second master’s degree from Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, in 1989. This time in English Literature. In 1997, she earned her doctorate (PhD) in English Literature from the University of Connecticut. Her doctoral thesis, “The Nature of Captivity; Changing Voices on America’s Literary Frontier: A study of narratives written by individuals taken captive by the Native Americans,” sought to demonstrate how these accounts were not included within American authors’ literary imaginations.
From 1972 through the 1990s, Dr. Johnson served as a ground-breaking journalist. She was an investigative reporter for the Hartford Courant (one of the leading newspapers on the east coast at the time), where she investigated and reported on governmental corruption and politics. She served as a “stringer” for national print news services, frequently providing context and detail on breaking news. In addition to her career as a reporter, she taught at various colleges and universities on the east coast and worked as a consultant for the Sheraton Hotels with respect to restaurant advertising.
Barbara’s passion for politics and community service continued after she and her husband returned to his hometown of Aberdeen, South Dakota. Barbara served as an independent researcher for the Willa Cather Foundation, as well as the Humanities Councils for the states of Nebraska and South Dakota. In 2023, her research on Native American children in the Dakota Schools received an award from the Center for Western Studies at Augustana University.
She is widely known for her comprehensive work related to the History of Stained Glass throughout the American Frontier. She was honored by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences – Upper Midwest Chapter for her work on the South Dakota Public Broadcasting historical documentary “Light of the Prairie: South Dakota Stained Glass”. The documentary received an Emmy Award nomination. The “Barbara Johnson Collection” of research on the history and significance of South Dakota Stained Glass is preserved at the South Dakota State Historical Society. She conducted the historical research that supported the restoration of the South Dakota State Capitol Rotunda, for which she received the personal thanks of the governor.
After researching the stained glass in Aurora, Barbara gave her presentation to a standing room only audience at the United Methodist Church in Aurora, on Aug. 13, 2013. Her Emmy nominated documentary is still available on the PBS website.
Throughout her life, Barbara was known to friends and family for her quick wit and insightful perspective. Her remarkable intellect and passion for civic engagement were an inspiration to everyone who knew her.
She is survived by: her sister, Patricia Williams Glee and her brother, Matthew Williams.
Barbara was preceded in death by her husband, Keith Johnson and parents, Clifford and Loretta Williams.