Karen Elaine Johnson passed away on January 7, 2024 from a rare, aggressive cancer. She was born May 11, 1960 in Moscow, Idaho, to Elaine and Allan Johnson. Her father had recently taken his first position with Bank of America and at the age of two weeks, she, her mother and older brother joined him in Watsonville, California. She started school in Modesto and continued in Novato, Shafter, Lindsay and Madera as her father took promotions with the bank, graduating from Madera High School in 1978. She continued her education at Fresno City College and Heald Four C's Business College with emphasis on secretarial courses. She landed a position with Fresno Federal Land Bank as secretary where she first met Mark Thompson, who she was to marry some years later. She also worked in marketing and became the administrative assistant to the C.E.O at Fresno-Madera Farm Credit. Following those years, she worked at Citizens Business Bank in Madera. She came into her best working years as an executive assistant, the go-to-person" at Fresno Heart Hospital, EyeQ, and Community Cancer Institute. She was especially proud to work alongside the executives in building the Cancer Institute in Clovis.

Throughout these years she raised her two sons, Kyle and Alex, while living in Madera. There was a chance to purchase a home and acreage in Madera Ranchos, so Karen and Mark took advantage of it and were also married in 2014.

In her spare time she enjoyed many hobbies including hand crafts, gardening, fishing, camping, travel, sporting clays, and photography. More recently she was very involved with the building of a new home. A big part of her life was devoted to their beloved grandson, Liam.

Karen was a member of PEO, Chapter VO, and was active in leadership and communications. Karen was also a member of the Clovis Rodeo Association, and served as secretary of the board since 2022. She also spend time helping at the Big Fresno Fair Junior Livestock auction, the Kids Breakfast, and the Toolbox Program.

She loved helping wherever she could, especially for ag events with the Cattlemens Association, the Fresno County Farm Bureau, and Reedley College Ag Backers.

Karen is survived by husband Mark Thompson; sons Randy Kyle Woodley (Heather) and grandson Liam of Fresno; Alexander Michael Toomajian of Rolling Meadow, Illinois; mother Elaine Johnson of Fresno; brothers Ronald Johnson (Lora) and Michael Johnson (Nina) of Oakland; and nephews Riley, Sean, Anders, and Hans Johnson.

The Celebration of Life will be held at the Clovis Rodeo hall February 4, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Fresno County 4H, Fresno County Farm Bureau or Clovis Rodeo Foundation.