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LAUREN FLAUM MONTICELLO TIMES

MONTICELLO— Jim and Teri Johnson’ s story began in kindergarten, decades before they built a life of service together in Monticello.

Growing up in the small city of Cokato with the same last name, they were classmates from their earliest school days. Romance didn’ t blossom until their senior year of high school, when both were cast in a production of“ South Pacific,” with Teri landing the lead role of Nellie.

More than four decades later, they just celebrated their 41st wedding anniversary. Along the way came four children, careers in education and a move to Monticello, where they built a life centered on family, faith and serving others.

Summing up their relationship, Teri quoted a lyric from

LAUREN FLAUM / MONTICELLO TIMES

Jim and Teri Johnson pose for a portrait June 24 at Ellison Park in Monticello. The couple, founders of Heart Strong Monticello, was named the city’ s 2026 Citizens of the Year in recognition of their efforts to improve sudden cardiac arrest survival through CPR education, AED access and community outreach.

the musical“ Wicked”:“ Because I knew you, I have been changed for good.” While their history spans more than four decades, it was

an ordinary Sunday afternoon in October 2022 that changed the course of their lives.

Jim survived a sudden cardiac arrest at the couple’ s home, an experience that inspired them to found Heart Strong Monticello, a nonprofit dedicated to raising awareness about sudden cardiac arrest, teaching lifesaving CPR and AED skills, and helping other people survive the same ordeal.

See JOHNSONS | PAGES 10-11