Susan J. Johnson

We tragically lost my mother, Sue Johnson, on March 4th, 2025, as she was traveling home in her private 2-seater Cessna from Yakima to Chelan, WA. After being up all night, watching the flight radar app showing the black hawk helicopter circling and searching for her, our family received the news the following day from search and rescue who found her plane downed just outside of Ellensburg, in a clearing, near a wind farm. It is not known at this time whether the cause of the crash was due to weather, mechanical issues or health issues.
My mom, Sue, was literally the most amazing human on the planet. Anyone who knew her would claim the same. She was the kindest, most compassionate person to every person she met and was there for many people in their most dire times of need. The number of lives she impacted by her young age of 73 was too many to count. From the 37 years she spent as a NICU Nurse Clinician, saving many premature babies who would later grow up and get to meet the incredible woman that gave them a chance at life; to Kevin and my friends in our home town of Selah who grew up spending many hours at our house (or mini "farm" as you would likely call it that she proudly and painstakingly maintained) who fondly today consider her to be a second mother to them; to the many pilot friends whom she had unique and close connections with, hosting fly-ins and providing many labors of love with her homemade lasagna and desserts, to her gardening and church friends... there were too many people to mention them all who knew my mom and loved her as a close family member. Her generosity, zest for life, spirit of adventure, determined strong will (and sometimes stubborn as hell), compassion for people, immense love for animals, mental and physical resilience, wisdom, appreciation for God and his creation, and commitment to be the best provider and mother to her kids will all never, ever ever be forgotten.
She is already missed incredibly dearly and desperately by her family and friends. As we all knew, she never wanted to be a burden to anyone and would want everyone grieving to know she is okay and that you can miss her, but please don't miss her so much that you miss out on the amazing life you have. Enjoy and appreciate every moment, even the hardest of days hold beauty and purpose. She will be with us all every day in our hearts and memories.
Sue is survived by her best friend and past husband Larry Johnson, daughter Katie Kies, son Kevin Johnson, son in law Rick Kies, grandkids Landen and Micaiah Garbutt, Kaylin, Keira & Karis Johnson, her sister Linda Kennedy and brother-in-law Rodger Kennedy, niece Sency Clemente, and in laws Gary & Mary Johnson, Ken & Cheryl Johnson and Dennis & Michal Johnson, and her kitties Dolly & Spicy.