A TRIBUTE TO DORIS KIRKHAM JOHNSON

I am going to take this opportunity to recognize the passing of my mother, Doris Kirkham Johnson. 

OBITUARY
Doris Kirkham Johnson 1923 – 2011

Doris Kirkham Johnson passed away on March 4, 2011 at her home in Shelley, Idaho. Doris was born October 19, 1923 in Monroe, Utah to Lott and Sarah Wrigley Kirkham. Doris was one of two daughters and six sons.

When Doris was five years old, the family moved to Shelley and settled in the Second Ward in which ward she lived for her entire life. She graduated from Shelley High School where she participated in Student government.

Doris married Maurice Oscar Johnson (son if Carl Oscar Johnson and Gerda Hanson) in the Salt Lake Temple on December 19, 1941 shortly after Pearl Harbor was bombed. They farmed to make a living. The couple has six children.

In 1980-81 she was voted area “Mother of the Year” and later first runner up for Idaho “Mother of the year”. In 1974, Doris beat breast cancer with radical surgery and then spent many years volunteering for cancer organizations.

Doris was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter –Day-Saint Church serving in numerous callings, including Ward and Stake Relief Society President, Ward & Stake Young Woman’s President, and ward and stake Primary President. She was also a temple worker, pianist, teacher, and baptism coordinator with her husband for several years. Doris & Maurice served a mission at the Idaho Falls Temple Visitors Center, and also served a mission in McComb, Illinois.

All handwork arts were her hobbies. Her love of nature was apparent in the beautiful yard and flowers she and Maurice had for years. She sang in many musical groups including ward choirs throughout her life. She was an active member and leader in the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers and a charter member of the Shelley Study and Arts Club.

Doris is survived by her children, Carolyn (Von ) Christensen, Sandy, Utah; Doris Maureen (Bryan) Gordon, Blackfoot, Idaho; Carl Maurice (Laree) Johnson, Idaho Falls, Idaho; Phyllis (Rick) Huntsman, South Jordan, Utah; Dale Maurice (LeAnn ) Johnson, Keedysville, Maryland; Kristen Kay (James) Nelson, Shelley; 48 grandchildren and 44 great grandchildren; a brother Donald Robinson (Deona) Kirkham, Shelley, and a brother-in-law, Walter Oscar (Leona) Johnson, Orem, Utah. She was preceded in death by her husband Maurice Oscar Johnson, grandson, George Jonathan Johnson, granddaughter, Brietta Kanda Lindhardt and grandson-in-law Karl Cain; five brothers & one sister.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 12, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. in the Shelley Second Ward Chapel, East Locust Street. Viewings for family and friends will be on Friday, March 11th from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. at the Nalder Funeral Home, 110 West Oak Street, Shelley and on Saturday prior to services at the Ward from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. Interment Shelley City Cemetery.

A TRIBUTE IN PICTURES
 

Always beautiful, even when having fun.

Raising a good family in the Lord's church was her number one goal. 

Always a good sport - especially to please her family.

Always supportive of every member of her family of over 110 in all their activities.

Even her children, who knew her best, thought she was always "Mother of the Year".

Gave beautiful homemade gifts to all of  her family & friends.  For the past several years she has made more than 75 angels at Christmas to accompany her gifts. 

 

She loved DUP (Daughters of the Utah Pioneers) and what it stood for, extended family.

She was very adventursome.  She climbed Tablerock near the Tetons in her 70's.

Her hands were always busy.

She was a devoted servant of the Lord all her life, including serving a mission with her husband.

She loved her sweetheart.

She was adored by her family.