Glen's Talk Notes From His Mom's (Lavell's) Funeral Oct. 19th, 1994

1. Summer 1941
2. Thank bloodline Mom, God - Have Dad Mom choose me
3. Told me I was adopted - I felt special
4. Gwen told about Santa - Mom comforted me    6 or 7
5. I wanted to be a girl - Stay home - cook, sew    6 or 7
6. Last spanking    6 or 7
7. Painted Dad's truck Marv, Scott, I (Mom noticed)    7 or 8
8. Kendal P. piano    8 or 9
9. Piano - Lay on bench "Deep Purple" - I don't hear you    9 or 10
10. Canada - Vacation - She cooked / Side ways movie camera
     11 yrs Birth Day
11. Teenager - Parties at house - Fun holsome (wholesome)
     games    13-19
12. She organized & started Cousins parties
13. I took Cadi (Cadillac) for joy ride (No driver's license) Mom
     kind    16
14. Mom encouraged & helped Dad - Never belittled him
     or found fault - Very supportive - Success Marriage
15. If angry with - No bad talk - Truly a good Wife
16. Thru thick / thin - Always hot meal
17. Diary - Elaine / Venna remember *
18. She always showed true Christ like love to others even if they
     treated her indifferently or unkindly & taught Gwen & me to do
     the same. Others could learn (from) her good example.

A Grand Lady, an exceptional wife & help-meet, and a loving & good Mother Mom - That is how "I remember Mother"

(Back Side Of Dad's Notes)

I love W.O.'s & Grandpa Johnson's old school designs and advertisements for their paint business.

Chris G. Johnson Memory, Dec. 9th, 1988 Regarding Clifford William Johnson

When I was thirteen years old, it was evident my Grandpa Johnson was approaching his last days. He’d fallen and broken his hip and after the surgery his health was failing quickly. He had Alzheimer’s which got steadily worse until he didn’t even know who any of us were anymore.

I was never really close with my Grandpa Johnson, but I loved him very much. He was larger than life to me and a bit of a man of mystery.

One night Dad and I visited Grandma and Grandpa. The TV was on and I sat on the old green chair and footstool just across from Grandpa. He was sitting in his hospital gown, in his rocking chair, lost in his own little world.

Because of his surgeries and problems they brought a hospital bed on wheels to the house and put it in the living room next to the kitchen. They had him sleep on that instead of in the bedroom where he normally slept.

Dad talked to Grandma as he helped her with things around the house and occasionally he spoke to Grandpa, but Grandpa looked scared like he didn’t know what was going on or who these people were.

Time came for him to go to bed, so they helped him up and walked him over to the bed. It was very hard for him to walk even with help. He shuffled his feet little by little as he went. When they lifted him into bed and got him situated they put up the bar on the side so he wouldn’t roll out of bed in the night and hurt himself.

Dad said it was time for us to go, so I stood up to leave. I remember Dad say, “Goodnight, Dad”, and Grandpa didn’t respond.

As we walked out the door I got a funny feeling that I should look back because this would be the last time I’d see Grandpa.

When I looked back my Grandpa lifted his head and looked at me. As he looked at me it seemed for a moment that he was totally aware of everything again and knew who I was. He smiled at me and gave me the OK symbol with his hand. I smiled back and turned and left.

As we drove home I thought for a split second how strange that moment with Grandpa was, but I pretty much just blew the whole thing off.

The next evening Dad took me into Jodie’s room and told me Grandpa had passed away in his sleep that night after we had left.

The experience I’d had with him rushed into my mind. Instead of being devastated that Grandpa had just died, I was very happy and I felt warm inside. I knew that our moment of connection was him telling me that everything was going to be just fine.

This experience is the fondest memory I have of my Grandpa Johnson.

Lavell Hokanson Johnson Journal, Oct. 29th, 1988 to Dec., 1988

Clifford W Johnson and Lavell H Johnson were dressing to attend a Golden Wedding on 29 Oct 1988.

Clifford was in the bedroom. I was in the kitchen (and) heard a loud thud and ran to him. He was on the floor in front of the door to (the) hall and the dresser.

Neighbor and Grandson Kirk Breitweiser lives next door. (I) called him on the phone.

(I) placed (a) pillow under Clifford’s head and covered him with (a) blanket.

His hip was tender. To be safe (I) called 911 and (an) ambulance (which) took him to the Dee-McKay Hospital emergency.

(He had) an operation to put a plate in his hip. He was transfered to the South Wing for therapy and assistance in learning to walk, get in and out of bed and wheel chair.

The 22 of Nov. (he was) released to go to his home where (there was) a hospital bed, wheel chair and walker and nurse aid. (We were) assisted by son and daughter.

For 16 days (I) gave (him) tender care.

He died Dec 8 1988 at home.