Kathleen "Kathy" Ann Johnson

Kathleen “Kathy” Ann Johnson, 56, died Tuesday, February 8, 2022, at home surrounded by her family. A visitation will be held on Tuesday, February 15, 2022, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., at Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home & Crematory in Urbandale, with a funeral service to follow at 10:30 a.m. Kathleen is survived by her husband, Tom; her daughters, Kim Crawford (stepdaughter), Sadie Johnson and Alicia Johnson; her son, Matthew Johnson; her granddaughter, Lily Crawford; her brothers, Steve (Gabrielle) Cahalan and Scott (Ericka Sybers) Cahalan, and her cat, Grayah. She was preceded in death by her parents, Arthur and Marjorie Cahalan. Kathy was born on October 2, 1965, to Arthur and Marjorie Cahalan. Kathy loved cats; from a young age and through her life she always had a devoted feline by her side. Kathy was very creative and had a passion for creating and studying art. After Kathy graduated from Hoover High School in 1984, she went on to attend the University of Iowa, where she studied art and graphic design. While in college, she learned to speak French and spent a year abroad in Paris, France, learning all about the French culture. Kathy moved to Chicago, Illinois in 1990, where she began working at the Chicago Board of Trade. Kathy met her husband, Tom, through mutual friends in 1992, while living in Illinois. In 1993, Kathy moved back to Des Moines. Tom followed her to Des Moines in 1994. Kathy continued classes at DMACC, studying graphic design. Kathy and Tom were married in the year 2000 and had three children together. Kathy was devoted to raising her children and was a wonderful wife and mother. She took a genuine interest in all that was shared with her and encouraged her children to explore their talents. Her son, Matthew, would say “my mom was easy to talk to and always very understanding”. Kathy enjoyed live music and loved attending many concerts with Tom over their 30 years together. Kathy had a wide range of artistic abilities that was expressed through many mediums, and she spent her free time drawing, knitting, and gardening. In recent years, Kathy mentioned that she enjoyed her quiet morning hours alone in prayer with her daily cup of coffee. Kathy was a kind and gentle woman, and her positive outlook on life touched the hearts of all who were blessed to know her. She will be missed dearly by her family and friends. Memorial contributions may be given to Furry Friends Refuge in Kathy’s name.