Dorothy L. Johnson's Obituary
Dorothy L. Johnson, October 24, 1924-April 9, 2014
Dorothy Lucille Yeager Johnson was born in Tacoma, Washington on October 24, 1924 to Hilda V. Benson Yeager and Alfred H. Yeager. Her maternal grandparents were Swedish immigrants who came to Tacoma from Chicago. She grew up on Waller Road with childhood friends Paul MacWilliams and Donald Johnson who were first cousins and graduated from Puyallup High School. Sadly, Paul was killed in World War II but Don returned home and married Dorothy.
Don and Dorothy began a construction company in Lakewood where, in addition to homes and churches, they built several homes for their family, including the current family home on American Lake where she lived for 45 years until moving to the Tacoma Lutheran Retirement Community until her death on April 9, 2014 at age 89.
She and Don were married for 59 years until his death in 2005. She is also proceeded in death by her sister Genevieve Wray and her son Thomas (Leighanne). She is survived by her sister Inez Ellingson of University Place, daughters Cynthia Cummings (Michael) of Greenbank, Marlene Stoehr (Robert) of Wenatchee, sons Brian (Marta) of Lynnwood and James (Erica) of Lakewood. She also had ten grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
Dorothy was first and foremost a loving wife, mother and grandmother. Her greatest joy was spending time with her family. She was also very involved in her church and community as a Charter Member of Christ Lutheran Church, the church's Altar Guild and Steilacoom Lake Garden Club. She was also an active member of the Tacoma Orthopedic Association; now known as the Mary Bridge Brigade.
Dorothy along with her husband Don, are fondly remembered for hosting gatherings of family and friends at their home. She will also be remembered for her love of card games, especially bridge, crossword and jigsaw puzzles, passions that she passed on to her children.
She made an indelible mark on all her children, grandchildren and her sons and daughters in-law with her constant love of family and will forever be missed. No other apple pie or cinnamon rolls will ever be as good as grandmas.
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