Lois Leigh Johnson's Obituary
DEATH OF LOIS LEIGH JOHNSON “GRANDY BEAR”
1932-2025
Lois Leigh Johnson (“Grandy Bear”) passed away peacefully Wednesday, April 23, 2025 at the age of 92.
Leigh was born September 6, 1932 in Missoula, Montana to parents Lois Idella Colburn and Robert William Patton. She moved to the state of Washington as a child, and attended Lowell Elementary School, Jason Lee Middle School, and graduated from Stadium High School in 1950.
Leigh and Edward Boll (Ted/Teddy Bear) Johnson began 57 years of marriage on May 4, 1954. They raised three girls while living in the Lakeside Club in Lakewood, Washington, where she continued to reside until her death.
Leigh worked in Accounts Receivable for Nalley Fine Foods in Tacoma, where she retired. She was President of the Tacoma Junior Women’s Club in 1965 and President of the Tacoma Genealogical Society in 1971.
Leigh loved dancing with Teddy Bear, traveling the world, and basking in the sunshine and life on American Lake. She rocked her bikini well into her late eighties!
Family was the center of her life, and she was blessed to have them live nearby. Leigh is predeceased by husband Ted/Teddy Bear Johnson and grandson Stacy Veitenhans.
She is survived by daughters Karen Veitenhans (Neal) of Tacoma, Dedee Manning-Rick of Lakewood and Marci Johnson (Ronn Crawford) of Lakewood. She also loved her 5 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.
Grandy Bear leaves us all with this cheer: “Here’s to you, as good as you are, and here’s to me as bad as I am, but as good as you are, and as bad as I am, I’m as good as you are, as bad as I am.”
Next time you have a 5 o’clock cocktail, please raise your glass for Grandy Bear.
(a gathering to honor Grandy Bear will be announced at a future date)
What’s your fondest memory of Lois?
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Describe a day with Lois you’ll never forget.
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