Shirley Johnson

Shirley Johnson Shirley Joanne Johnson was born November 15, 1931 and passed away on May 9, 2011 at the age of 79. Shirley was born in Vancouver, BC to the Rev. Frederick J. and Merle Molter. Soon after her birth the family moved to Walla Walla, Washington where Shirley spent most of her formative years, then relocated to Tacoma in the late 1940's where she graduated from Stadium High School. Shirley subsequently attended Pacific Lutheran College (PLU) where she received her degree in education. During her time in college, Shirley met her wonderful husband, LeRoy (Lee). Lee and Shirley spent their early married lives teaching for the US Air Force in Germany. They spent their summer breaks touring Egypt, the Holy Land, and many other countries throughout Europe. They returned to the US and taught grade school in Olympia before moving to Lakewood where they built their dream home and started a family. Shirley was a wonderful mother and loving wife. She enjoyed baking amazing desserts for her family, hiking and camping, salmon fishing, gardening, and traveling. Shirley loved and cherished her friends and family. She was very proud of having started the tradition of Johnson/Lindstrom family reunions over 30 years ago - these reunions continue today, bringing well over 100 extended family members together for an every-two-year celebration. For many years Shirley and Lee were active at Christ Lutheran Church where Shirley participated in many activities, including circle and singing in the choir. A few of our fondest memories of our Mom include being bribed up miles of mountain trails with M&M's and a 45-day trip across the United States as teenagers in a station wagon pulling a travel trailer. This trip was paid for with money saved from a year's worth of clipping coupons. For anyone who knew our Mom, her "teacher" qualities were always with her: she would diligently correct grammar, including most recently the nursing staff at the hospital and care centers (and yes, she was always right!) Although in the last 12 months Mom's health had greatly deteriorated, her sense of humor and sarcastic wit stayed with her until the very end. Shirley was preceded in death by her husband Lee, brother Richard, mother Merle, and father Frederick. Shirley is survived by her sons Kenneth and Christopher, daughters Catherine and Karla, son-in-law John, and granddaughter Hannah, plus numerous extended family. A memorial service will be held on June 11, 2011 at Christ Lutheran Church in Lakewood at 2:00 pm. Please make remembrances in Shirley's name to Christ Lutheran Church Scholarship Fund.