Kristin R. Johnson

Kristin Rose Johnson (Vandenberg), of Appleton, WI, passed away unexpectedly at home on December 1, 2025, at the age of 45.

Kristin was born on August 22nd, 1980, in Appleton, WI to John G. Vandenberg and Nancy K. Vandenberg. She graduated from Kaukauna High School (Class of 1998) and went on to attend the University of Oshkosh Wisconsin.

Kristin worked at Thrivent Financial for 21 years most recently as a Principal in Suitability & Surveillance.

Kristin married her husband, Gregory, on January 22, 2009, on the beach in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. They built a beautiful life together, rooted in mutual love, laughter and respect. Her greatest joy was her family. She was a loving, amazing, supportive and dedicated All-Star Cheer mom to Sylvia. Kristin and Sylvia shared an amazingly strong bond with each other. Kristin loved her family more than anything.

She had a vibrant spirit and a wonderfully infectious laugh and sense of humor. Outside of her family and work, Kristin was an avid music fan, listening to multiple genres and attending several live concerts with family and friends. She and Greg most recently got to take Sylvia to see Taylor Swift’s Era Tour in Minneapolis, and this past summer to see The Avett Brothers for the 4th time with Greg and Sylvia for her first Avett Brothers concert. She loved to travel to Door County and hoped one day to have a cabin near Ephraim close to Wilson’s Restaurant where she and Greg would move to after retirement. She was also known for her uncanny ability to walk into walls, doorframes, or stationary objects. Kristin loved to walk around Target and buy things that she didn’t need. Kristin also had a “collection” of blankets and water bottles/mugs that she would buy but never use and are stored in the basement taking up even more space. She loved to read and share different books with friends. Kristin always looked forward to March Madness as she and Greg would go to Michigan and stay at the casino for the opening games. She would always make her picks based on the best mascots and the schools that had the best school colors. Somehow, she won multiple brackets with this method.

Kristin previously served on the Board of Directors and volunteered her time every year at Rebuilding Together, which her father John and mother Nancy started in the Fox Valley and believed strongly in the importance of good works and helping others.

Kristin is survived by her loving husband, Greg; her daughter, Sylvia Rose; her mother, Nancy; her brothers, Gordy (Nicki) Vandenberg and Tim Vandenberg; and her niece, Brooke; nephews, Jaxon and Camden and many dear friends. She is further survived by in-laws Greg (Deb) Johnson Sr. and Genny (Mike) Willemon.

She was preceded in death by her father, John; grandparents, Paul & Pat DeGroot and Gordon & Lucille Vandenberg.

A memorial service will be held at Wichmann Fargo Funeral Home, 400 West Wisconsin Avenue, Kaukauna, WI, 54130, on Saturday, January 10th, 2026, at 9am to 12pm followed by a brief service.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established.

Always remember there was nothing worth sharing, like the love that let us share our name - The Avett Brothers