Donna Johnson, former DeKalb city clerk and alderman, dies at 78: ‘A champion of the underdog’

DeKALB – A former 2nd Ward DeKalb alderman and the last DeKalb city clerk to serve a full term in the office has died at the age of 78.

Donna Johnson, born Donna Sue Spencer on Aug. 14, 1946, died peacefully at her home June 3 from complications of stomach cancer, according to her obituary.

A “champion of the underdog,” Johnson’s dry wit lasted until the end, stepson Dirk Johnson said Friday.

“When she was being discharged from the hospital, they ran through a bunch of questions that they ask people in her situation, and one of them was, ‘Have you used hospice before?’ and she said, ‘No, this is my first time dying,’” Dirk said, chuckling.

The public is invited to a visitation from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday. Services will immediately follow at 1 p.m. at Butala Funeral Home, 1405 DeKalb Ave., Sycamore. Graveside services will be at Elmwood Cemetery, 901 S. Cross St., Sycamore, with a luncheon after.

Johnson’s illness didn’t stop her from offering a comforting hand to loved ones either, including her four stepchildren, 11 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

“She told all of us, ‘Don’t feel bad for me. I’ve lived a good life, and I’m ready,’” Dirk said in recollection.

Johnson was born at St. Mary’s Hospital in DeKalb to Paul Spencer and Mildred Phyllis Spencer. She married Glen Johnson on Feb. 16, 1979, and they were together until his death in 2014.

Known for her work in public government, Johnson served the city of DeKalb in various roles for more than 30 years.

She was deputy city clerk from 1977 to 1988. She was elected to represent the 2nd Ward on the DeKalb City Council from 1993 to 1997. In 1997, she was elected to the city clerk’s office, then a full-time position, where she served until 2009.

Her obituary called her “a talented bookkeeper,” and Dirk agrees.

“She was meticulous,” he said. “Records and accuracy were very, very important to her, and she had a real talent for that. I think she saw her role as clerk as being there for the citizens, making sure that things were done properly and prudently.”

Johnson’s fervor for public service didn’t stop at City Hall. She also served a term as president of the DeKalb County League of Women Voters.

Johnson grew up in DeKalb and then moved briefly to Sandwich, where she graduated from Sandwich High School in 1964.

She nurtured a large family and loved her dog, Sissy, Dirk said.

“Smart, spirited and independent, with a quick wit and a wonderful deadpan sense of humor, Donna presided over countless birthdays and holidays in a home that grew ever more crowded as the years passed,” according to her obituary.

Holidays started early in Donna Johnson’s house, Dirk said.

“When these grandchildren came along, I think that she started shopping for Christmas presents on Dec. 26,” Dirk said. “There would be a mountain of [presents] for the grandkids. She liked to spoil them.”

Hailing from a modest background – her parents moved north from Kentucky for work – she used that perspective to help others.

“She was a champion of the underdog, but at the same time, she was intimidated by no one,” Dirk said. “It didn’t matter if you had money or degrees from fancy schools. She could go toe to toe with you. She was respected by prominent lawyers and humble laborers alike.”

This story was updated at 5:40 p.m. June 6, 2025.