Funeral services for Vivian Norma Johnson, 96 of Lawrence, KS will be 11 am, Saturday, August 15, 2015, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home and burial will follow at Washington Creek Cemetery, Douglas County.
Mrs. Johnson died Sunday August 9, 2015, at Pioneer Ridge Assisted Living.
She was born December 12, 1918, in rural Douglas County, the daughter of Robert Lee and Eva Martha (Flory) Markley. Her childhood was spent in Colorado, western Kansas, California, as well as Douglas County, attending eight different schools and graduating from Liberty Memorial High School in Lawrence in 1937. She was baptized into the Lone Star Church of the Brethren in 1947. Vivian volunteered as a cooking leader for the Lone Star 4-H club and taught Sunday school. She worked in Lawrence at Hallmark Cards, Woolworths, and B.F Goodrich for many years. Vivian also worked at M and M Office Supply for 24 years before finally retiring.
Vivian and her husband Frank were members of 5 Lawrence Square Dance Clubs and square danced for 30 years serving as President and many other duties in the clubs. Besides her love of square dancing she enjoyed biking, hiking, traveling and writing poetry. She was a member of the International 1918 Birthday Club from 1969 to 2004 and also a member of the Lawrence “No Name Club” and a square dance Friends Club for many years.
She married Frank Johnson in June of 1938. He preceded her in death in July of 1991. She is also preceded in death by a brother, Merle Lee in 1925 and sister, Yvonne Markley in 1993 and sister, Lila McMillen in 2011.
Survivors include two sons, Jim Johnson (wife Etha) of Lone Star and Robert Johnson (wife Fran) of Lawrence and one daughter, Cheryl Durrant (husband Jerry) of California and one sister, Flora Ott of Lawrence, 11 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Vivian’s family would like to thank Pioneer Ridge Assisted Living for the loving care and attention they gave to her over the last two years. They were greatly appreciated for everything they did.
Friends may call from 8 am to 8 pm, Friday, at the funeral home where the family will receive them from 6:30-7:30.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Lone Star Church of the Brethren or Visiting Nurses sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.
