Johnson, Nathalie Joy "I'm just a Swede from the Prairie." Nathalie Joy Johnson passed away at her home in Minneapolis on June 24, 2022, just a day after her 58th birthday. She remained in good spirits with positive thoughts and greeted each of the healthcare persons she encountered with her beautiful smile and kind words during her short battle with cancer. Nathalie is survived by her companions animals and her husband of 28 years, Tony Parsons. Nathalie was born on June 23, 1964 to Lloyd Vernon (Buck) Johnson and Joyce Nathalie Johnson in the Willmar, MN hospital. She graduated with a beautiful group of friends from the Willmar 1982 senior class. After graduation, Nathalie earned her Bachelor's and then Master's Degree in Psychology from St. Cloud State University. Her Scandinavian Heritage, Lutheran faith and DFL politics were very important to Nathalie. She was confirmed in both Swedish and English at the Svea, MN Lutheran Church and would visit her Grandparents with all of her cousins for Sunday dinner following church service. After college, Nathalie was crowned Miss Svenskarnas Dag Queen in 1989 and later that summer an Aquatennial Princess. Nathalie was married to Tony Parsons on June 18, 1994 at the Vinje Lutheran Church in Willmar. They moved to Minneapolis and owned and operated Signature Café & Catering from 2002-2012 and then Chez Bloom Floral & Events from 2013 to the present. While at Signature Café, Nathalie hosted many celebrities and local politicians. Comedian Louie Anderson, whom frequented while performing in town stated, "Manhattan would love a restaurant serving only Grandma Larson's Beef Pot Roast, it would be full every day!" Signature Cafe hosted many events for local animal shelters and DFL candidates or those in office, for which Nathalie was very proud. Designing weddings for the couples whom Nathalie met at Chez Bloom brought her great joy. Her communication skills, planning ability, operational talent, and eye for design ensured each wedding was beautiful and flawless. Being the giving person Nathalie displayed, she has donated her body to Anatomy Bequest at the University of Minnesota. A "Celebration of Life" will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, July 23, 2022 at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 2730 E. 31st Street, Minneapolis, MN 55406. In lieu of flowers, you are welcome to make a donation in honor of Nathalie to either the Animal Humane Society or Stand Up to Cancer.

Published on July 3, 2022