The family of Vivian Viola Johnson regretfully announces her passing on Nov. 7, 2002.
She will be lovingly remembered by her husband, Walter Edgar Johnson; children, Carol, Colleen (John) Punt, Donald (Jane), Marlane (Tony) Boothby, Allan, and David (Karen); and grandchildren, Terri, Lindsay, Andrea, Trevor, Kristy, Jamie, Mark, Katja, Matthew, Michael, Brian, Kristina, and Emily.
She also leaves to mourn her passing two brothers, Denver and Clifford; three sisters, Louise Witmire, Jean Jarrett, and Bonnie Boron; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, neighbours, and friends.
Mom was predeceased by her parents, Andrew and Gladys Thorburn; and two brothers, MacDonald and Curtis.
Mom was born Jan. 15, 1917 in John Day, Ore. but came to Rainy River District with her family in 1922. During her early years, she worked at Calvert’s Camp on Cedar Island, which she had fond memories of.
She then moved to Davenport, Iowa, where she worked as a maid and then at a factory weaving towels. From there, she went to Niagara Falls, Ont., where she became a cabinet maker, building her own kitchen cabinets in her spare time.
During the dark days of WWII, Mom contributed to the war effort by working in the aircraft assembly plant building Mosquito bombers and welding.
Mom and Dad were married Oct. 14, 1946 and had just celebrated 56 years together. She loved God and family most, and got great pleasure from her “beautiful paradise ranch.”
Her other interests included writing and reciting poetry, photography, sewing and knitting, and gardening. We will miss her great sense of humour.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2002 at 2 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Bergland, Ont. Pastor Darlene Smith officiated, with interment in Bergland Cemetery.
The pallbearers were John Pirkl, John Penner, Paul Peters, Carl Peters, Glen Anderson, and Mark Johnson.
The family wishes to thank the Rainy River Health Centre for the excellent care she received during her stay there.
Although her smile is gone forever
And her hand we cannot touch
We will never lose the memory
Of our Mom we loved so much.
God please put your arms around her
And hold her in your care
Make up for all she suffered
And all she had to bear,
Please tell her that we love her
And our hearts still ache with pain
We hold her close in our memories
Until we meet again.