Barbara Johnson

Barbara Ann Johnson

Barbara, 81, passed away at home suddenly after a long battle with cancer surrounded by family February 16, 2012. She was preceded in death by her husband Kenneth Wayne Johnson in 1993 and did not remarry. They were school mates, grew up together and married after high school. Barbara was a natural athlete; roller skating competitively, she won national recognition in Billboard magazine for individual and couples competition at Madison Square Garden as a young woman. Barbara and Ken raised three loving and successful children, Kevin, Kyle and Kim. She has four grandchildren, Mathew, Laney, Chad & Tanner, and three great grandchildren, Keagan, Kole and Ava. Barbara was a trendsetter and lived a full life. Born Barbara Ann Laney in Eaton, Colorado December 5, 1930 during the depression, she had two sisters (Margarite, Donna Gayle-deceased) and a brother (Ralph-deceased). Their sustenance during the depression was difficult; struggles to meet daily needs for food and shelter had a profound and lasting influence on her to be conservative in resources and generous in heart throughout her life. She started work with Hewlett Packard in 1950 and was later employed by Bell Telephone as a Circuit Designer until retirement from their Engineering and Special Services Department in 1993. Barbara loved life, family and dancing. She travelled and toured widely after retirement making many friends. She was active in the community and performed volunteer work with the Literacy Program, Assistance League and VA hospital. Her dogs Molly and Thelma miss their daily walks. Her favorite song was I Hope You Dance by Lee Ann Womack. Memorial Services will be held Friday March 9, 2012, from 1 - 3 pm at Western Heritage Interpretive Center, 6000 Bartley Ranch Road, Reno, Nevada. In lieu of gifts or flowers she has requested donations be made to the Nevada Humane Society.