Karin was born in Tanganika, East Africa, the second child of Pastor Bernt and Gertrude Johnson. She assumed the role of the eldest child after the tragic death of her older brother. Karin excitedly welcomed the births of the succeeding four children and gained first-hand experience as sibling leader.
Karin completed high school in Southern California, attended the California Lutheran Bible School for two years, and graduated from Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas with a Music Education Major. While in college she played organ and directed choir at the Salemsborg, Kansas Lutheran Church. She lived with her pastor-missionary family in Africa, Michigan, Minnesota, Bolivia (South America), Nebraska, Southern California and Kansas.
While on a study abroad for Spanish in Saltillo, Mexico, she met her future husband, Mizael Eduardo Hernandez. They were later married in Colorado in August 1965. She continued teaching elementary school music in Jefferson County, Colorado; Chicago, Illinois; and later for The San Antonio Independent School District until her retirement. She was happy to become a mother, as they welcomed two sons, Michael and Kristopher, into their family who quickly became the love of her life, instilling in them her love and talent for music. When San Antonio became their hometown, she was able to, once again, play the organ, sing in the choir and direct a children’s choir at Shepherd King Lutheran Church. She energetically directed school children’s seasonal programs. Her love of nature endeared her to the Texas bluebonnets. All her nieces and nephews remember the many home-made birthday cards she always remembered to send them.
Karin was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, Sten and Philip, and one sister, Ingrid who went to heaven one week before her. She is survived by her husband, Eduardo; two sons, Michael (wife, Martha) and Kristopher; two grandsons, Cesar Ruben and Sebastian Hernandez; her sister, Charlotte Chapin (husband, Earl) and her brother, Stanley (wife, Sandra) and three generations of nieces and nephews.
She died peacefully in her home, with family at her bedside. Her fervent love for the Lord Jesus Christ was her joy throughout life.
A Memorial Service will be 3:00 pm on Thursday, March 27, 2025, at Porter Loring Mortuary North.
