Luella Florence Johnson's Obituary
IN CELEBRATION of GOD’S GOODNESS
LUELLA FLORENCE TOSO JOHNSON “OMA’
MAY 27, 1918 – MARCH 21, 2014
Our dear Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, sister, auntie and friend has gone to heaven to be with her Lord and many departed family members and canine companions.
Oma was born on May 27, 1918 in Barnesville, MN, to farmers - Conrad and Elizabeth Toso – who raised Luella and her 8 sibling Mildred, Kenneth, Dorothy, Lorraine, Gene, Norman (Huntz), Donnie and Dick in a strong, loving family with their faith in God as the cornerstone of their lives.
After Oma graduated from Moorhead State Teachers College in 1938 with a two year degree, she began her career in Vining, MN, Folden Township where she taught all eight grades in a one room school house. There she met Opa, on the farm and boarded there with he and his Aunt Hulda. They were married July 17, 1940 and remained on the farm to “feed” the world during World War II.
Opa, Oma and Betty (14 month and a chunky monkey) moved to Tacoma spring of 1945, where they lived at American Lake South. Opa worked at Mt. Rainier Ordnances Depot and Oma taught nursery school. Oma then became one of the first two kindergarten teachers in the Clover Park School District beginning in 1947, until retiring June 1973, spending most of her years at Tillicum Elementary riding her bike to school in high heels. Later she taught at Hillside, Tyee Park and finished at Lake Louise Elementary. During this time she was also involved in an experimental kids TV program at the district station KCPQ. In 1964 she taught at the New York World Fair “Children’s World” from April to August. Opa was home to keep things in order while Betty was a sophomore at PLU and Mary in the 8th grade. Mother was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, Life Member of the National Education Association, Association for Childhood Education and PTA.
In 1947 they purchased a small home on Portland Avenue in Tillicum for $5000 (including all furnishings) then built a home next door in 1952 before building #7 Thornewood in 1963.
Mother earned her Bachelor’s of Education in the early 50’s and in 1967 her Master of Education from Pacific Lutheran University. During the ‘60s and 70s she spent summers “teaching teachers what I learned from children” at PLU. She served on the Alumni Board as class representative was a member of Q Club, the Arts Council and especially enjoyed passing out caps and gowns to graduates.
Opa was there to hold down the household and bring Oma strong coffee in bed first thing in the morning. Her car was always full of gas; cleaned and pointed out the driveway… you never knew when there was somewhere to go.
Oma and Opa were members of Trinity Lutheran Church in Parkland from the late ‘40s until they became Charter Members of Christ Lutheran in Lakewood in 1958. Mother was always involved with church “goings-ons”…Bible School, Sunday School, Dorcas Circle, quilting, Children’s Sermons, prayer groups…etc. In 1959 she was invited by the Lutheran Church to help write a first grade Sunday School Book, ABOUT GOD AND ME.
Mother retired from Clover Park School District in 1973 having taught 33 years. She continued her activities and added few more. She was Pierce County’s Woman of the Year in about 1974 and President of President’s Council. Mother and Opa spent a wonderful school year (1980-81) at the International Family Academy in Stavanger, Norway with John and Mary Adix. They traveled to Europe/Norway several times…to Minnesota innumerable times and in 1998 Mother was part of an educational delegation to China spearheaded by Washington’s First Lady Mona Locke. Mother was also a docent at the Governor’s Mansion in Olympia and last attended a function in December, 2012. Her last big trip was to the Holy Land with a group from Chapel Hill Presbyterian in Gig Harbor in 2005.
The last 22 months were spent in Gig Harbor beginning June 2012 at Mary’s house and in May 2013 moving to Clare Bridge Memory Care Residence, full time. We are so appreciative to the staff at Clare Bridge for not only her physical care but for being such kind and loving humans, not only to Oma but to all the residence, families, friends and canines. It has taken a neighborhood and village to care for her and us, it is not an easy road for those with dementia or their families. Franciscan Hospice was with Oma and family since February 2013 providing an abundance of services not only at Mary’s home but at Clare Bridge; they are without doubt some of the best people in the world. We are thankful to the Thornewood neighbors who looked after Mother for 8 plus years while she lived there after Opa’s passing.
Oma will be missed by her children –Betty (Kenny) Clauson and Mary Johnson; her grandsons – Troy (Kim) Helseth and Peter (Jennifer) Helseth and Kenny’s daughter’s LesLee (Jeff) Eicher and Kris Clauson; her 3 great-grand children – Tyler (11), Josh (7) and AnnaMarie (4 months). Her remaining brothers Kenneth, Gene, Norman (Linda) and Dick Toso her sister Lorraine Kantrud, many nieces, nephews and extended family.
Oma’s greatest gift was people; she would visit with anyone on any corner throughout the world, now she has angles and loved ones in heaven to visit.
Put the coffee on, and make it strong!
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