Staff Retiree: Deb Johnson

Accounting Clerk

In June, Deb Johnson retired from her role as Accounting Clerk after 12 years of serving at Calvin Theological Seminary (CTS). Before her time at CTS, Deb worked at a bank, as a stay-at-home mother, and at a medical billing company. Deb’s initial connection to CTS came through Executive Assistant Carolyn DeNeut, a coworker from the medical billing company she worked at. Deb spent several years serving alongside Carolyn at LaGrave Avenue CRC’s GEMS Girls’ Club, lending her artistic abilities to the crafts and activities portion of each meeting. Eventually, the position of Accounting Clerk was available, and Carolyn encouraged Deb to apply. In 2012, Deb joined the staff at CTS!

Over Deb’s 12 years at CTS, aspects of her role have changed, while others have remained the same. Some of these changes include different managers over the years and the Seminary adopting new student information systems to make the student experience more seamless, especially for paying tuition and rent. During this transition time, Deb worked tirelessly to learn these systems and make them more user-friendly for the students of CTS.

One of Deb’s favorite aspects of her time at CTS is the relationships she developed with faculty, staff, and students. As the Seminary’s accountant, Deb had the opportunity to develop relationships with many students as they approached her with payments and questions about their bills. Many of these students have kept in contact with Deb even after graduation! Deb contributed to the Seminary community by helping with the faculty and staff annual retreat, craft nights, the end-of-year picnic, and other fellowship events. Looking back on her time at the Seminary, Deb cites the end-of-year picnic and ping pong tournament as one of her favorite events, as it reminds her of her childhood days spent playing ping pong with her parents and siblings.

As Deb retires, it’s a bittersweet transition but one she’s looking forward to, as she’ll be traveling, spending time with her family, and pursuing creative hobbies. Deb and her husband, Jeff, are proud parents of two adult sons and daughters-in-law, Ryan and Melissa, and Kyle and Sara, as well as five young, energetic grandchildren, all ages five and younger: Avery, Jordy, Peyton, Taylor, and Cooper. Deb and Jeff are anticipating a family vacation to Disney World in 2028 and more time at their cottage on the Muskegon River. Deb is an avid card maker and puzzle enthusiast, two hobbies she’s excited to spend more time pursuing in her retirement.

The entire CTS community is grateful for Deb’s 12 years of service and will miss her as she begins this new chapter.