Kathleen Johnson

Kathleen G. "Kathy" Johnson was called to glory on Monday, March 20, 2017. She is deeply missed by all who loved her. Kathy was born on January 9, 1922, to William and Elizabeth Heidbreder, in Hannibal, Missouri. She attended St. John's Lutheran School in Hannibal, Missouri, and Hannibal High School. After graduation, she studied at Hannibal-LaGrange College for 2 years. After the United States entered World War II, Kathy enlisted in the Navy, as a WAVE. After training in Indianapolis, she served in San Diego, California as a Storekeeper (Petty Officer) 1st Class, " to relieve a man for active duty." After the war, Kathy lived in Tacoma, Washington, where her father was assigned to Fort Lewis. After working part-time in Tacoma, Kathy became a student at the University of Washington. In her senior year, she met a fellow student, Ed Johnson, who was a former soldier from Montana. They married on January 20, 1951 at University Lutheran Church, Seattle. They became parents when their son, Steven Palmer Johnson, was born on October 22, 1951. Their daughter, Joanne Kathleen Johnson, was born May 11, 1958. Ed and Kathy became members of Messiah Lutheran Church in north Seat...[more]

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. She was active in the choir, the Lutheran Women's Missionary League, the Altar Guild, and many other activities, and into their 90's Kathy and Ed continued to be active worshippers at Messiah as health permitted. After their children grew up, Kathy returned to the workforce, at University of Washington Medical Center, retiring in 1990. Kathy loved to travel, and took memorable trips to Hawaii, Florida, and Europe. In January, 1992, she and Ed departed on the trip of a lifetime, a five-month cruise around the world, managing the bookstore on board the University of Pittsburgh's Semester at Sea. One of the highlights for them both was meeting Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who led a seminar aboard the ship. Kathy and Ed were overjoyed to become grandparents, and then great-grandparents, never missing a birthday, usually calling to sing "Happy Birthday." There will be a memorial service for Kathy at 2:00 p.m. on April 1st at Messiah Lutheran Church, 7050 35th NE, Seattle. Visitation is Friday, March 31,from 10:00am to 8:00pm at Evergreen-Washelli Funeral Home, 11111 Aurora Avenue N, Seattle, WA. Kathy is survived by her husband of 66 years, Edward Palmer Johnson, her son Steve (Norma), daughter Joanne Estergreen, 5 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren, her brother-in-law, Ray Johnson (Charlotte), numerous nieces and nephews, and cousins. She was predeceased by her parents and her brother. Words of comfort may be expressed for Kathleen Johnson's family by clicking on the Tributes tab just below their name.