Jenny Karen McKinnon Johnson

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Jenny Karen McKinnon Johnson was born on Jan. 7, 1973, in Evanston, the first child of Aaron and Karen Digerness McKinnon. She passed away peacefully on April 8 at her home in Evanston.

She attended school at Randolph Elementary, junior high school at Laketown, high school at South High School in Salt Lake the last year it was open and graduated from Cyprus High School in Magna, Utah. 

She was married in 1995 to Robert Derbidge and later divorced, and married to Clifford Johnson in 1997, also later divorced. She had two children, Donald and Brittney, whom she loved dearly. In time, she realized she was unable to take adequate care of the kids because of the many challenges she faced. She allowed them to be adopted by the Shidler family of Evanston, who have been a precious blessing to Jenny and our family. She has remained in contact with them and was so proud of all they accomplished.

Jenny was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and received temple covenants in April 2003.

Jenny is survived by her children by birth, Donald and Brittney Johnson; parents, Karen and Randy Garrett, and Aaron McKinnon; sisters, Mandy, Brenda, Angela and Rachel and their families; stepbrothers Mark, Terence and Kirk Garrett and their families; grandmother Jane Digerness of Woodruff, Utah; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.

Jenny had many people around her who loved her, but life handed her many challenges, especially in the areas of physical and mental health. Many circumstances came her way through natural means and at the hands of others, but she remained a loving and caring person despite all these hard things.

Jenny loved flowers and birds and other things of nature; crafts; and spending time with family and friends. She was a kind and generous friend, always willing to help out.

The family thanks the caregivers at Best Home Health and the medical, EMS and other people that helped her numerous times over the years. 

A viewing will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday April 13, at the Randolph Ward chapel, followed by a graveside service at 11 a.m. at the Randolph City Cemetery in Randolph, Utah.

Condolences may be made at www.crandallfhevanston.com.