Barbara "Kay" Johnson

Barbara "Kay" Johnson, 91, of Morton, formerly of Washington, passed away Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at her home.
She was born December 23, 1933 in Jackson Township, MO to Ernest A. and Marian L. Smith DeWitt. She married Thomas L. Johnson on April 19, 1952 in Peoria; he preceded her in death on February 17, 2013.
Surviving are her children, Kathy Wurster of Morton, Nancy (Randy) Iverson of Washington, and Mark (Lori) Johnson of Eureka; her 6 beloved grandchildren, Tricia, Chad, Ryan, Dawn, Tim, and Molly Kay; and 8 great-grandchildren Zachary, Aiden and Nash, Kaylee, Alyssa, Brayden Leon and Mallory, and Kade Thomas.
She was also preceded in death by one brother Allen "Bud" Grose, two sisters, Mary Hanson and Pat Thatcher, her parents Ernest and Marian DeWitt, and son-in-law, Bill Wurster.
Kay graduated from Cabool High School in 1951. She was very proud to have been a twirler in the high school's prize winning Drum and Bugle Corps. In her early days, she worked at local companies like Kresge's, Caterpillar, and Block & Kuhl, and even as a typist at Ft. Knox. She helped her husband run his business, Tom's Lawn and Garden, from managing the office to pulling a trailer load of tractors from Moline, until she retired in 1999. She supported her grandkids by attending many of their activities; she loved spending time with them as much as they did with her. She and Tom enjoyed winters in Florida and were members of the Mid-State Snowbird's Snowmobile Club. Following the loss of her home in the Washington Tornado, she moved to Maple Lawn in Eureka for several years, until she joined her daughter in Morton. Her family was her pride and joy, and her legacy will be one of deep love for them.
A service will be held at noon Friday, November 7, 2025 at Deiters Funeral Home and Crematory in Washington. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at Glendale Cemetery in Washington.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Transitions Hospice or Helping Hands.