JOHNSON
Forever Remembered – Forever Loved – Forever Missed
With broken hearts, the family of Lorene Ellen Johnson of Rimbey, Alberta announces her passing at the Rimbey Hospital and Care Centre, Long Term Care on Thursday, August 29, 2024, at the age of 93 years.
Lorene was born at Donalda, Alberta on August 7, 1931. She was the second eldest of eight children, and grew up in the Donalda area. Lorene married William Johnson on December 23, 1947. After Christmas they moved to Summerland, B.C., and in April of 1948 they moved back to Donalda and farmed with William’s father. They moved into a beautiful two-story farmhouse with William’s parents, that his father had built. Lorene would always help out with the fall harvest by driving the grain truck into town. In the spring of 1954, together with their first three children, Carol, Wayne, and Gail, they bought their own farm in the Donalda area, with William still helping on his father’s farm. While living there, three more children, Donna, Randy, and Terry, were born. In August of 1961, Lorene and William purchased a farm west of Hoadley. This is where the last of their seven children, Christina, was born.
While in Hoadley, they raised dairy cows. Everyone enjoyed fresh milk and cream, and from that there was delightful homemade puddings, whipped cream for desserts, cottage cheese, butter, and buttermilk; but best of all, was the homemade ice cream! There was never a time when there wasn’t fresh baking to be had, and the children remember getting off the school bus to the wonderful aroma of freshly-baked bread and cinnamon buns at least once a week. Delicious homemade meals were always made with homegrown vegetables that were meticulously cared for in a huge garden. What couldn’t be eaten fresh was put into the freezer or canned for future use. Tame and wild raspberries and strawberries were always picked to enjoy. Canned fruits, jams, jellies, relishes, and pickles were also in abundance. Lorene also created an array of beautiful flowers, with her favourite flower being the rose.
Summer vacations were taken every summer when the children were out of school. The trips were usually out to B.C. to visit relatives. There was a continuous admiration for the mountains while driving through them or camping overnight in the park campgrounds. In August of 1974, Lorene and William had a farm sale and retired back to Summerland, B.C. In 1981 they relocated to Camrose, Alberta to be closer to family, as family meant everything to them. In April, 1989, William became ill and passed away that same month, leaving Lorene a widow at the young age of 57 years. She sold her home in Camrose in 1991 and settled in Rimbey. In 2012 when Lorene was 80 years old, she moved into a smaller home with a much smaller yard. In June of 2023, at the age of 91 years, Lorene moved into Rimbey Long Term Care until the time of her passing.
Lorene was always kind, generous, and loving. Her children meant everything to her, and she loved and cherished them deeply. Her most treasured moments were when they would come for a visit. She especially enjoyed the family gatherings that were held. Lorene also possessed a love for animals. She particularly liked dogs, and there was never a time when a dog was not cherished by her and William. Later in life she consistently had a little furry friend to keep her company. Even after her move into Long Term Care, Lorene quite often talked about getting another little dog.
Lorene will be lovingly remembered by her five children Wayne (Linda) Johnson of Camrose; Donna (Herb) Schwingel of Bluffton; Randy (Carla) Johnson of Camrose; Terry (Annette) Johnson also of Camrose; and Christina (Mark) Sperber of Ponoka. She will also be sadly missed by twenty-three grandchildren; fifty-one great-grandchildren; and nine great, great-grandchildren; along with several nieces, nephews, and other family members. Lorene was predeceased by her husband William in 1989; daughter Gail Cox in 2005; and daughter Carol Swan in 2018; as well as her son-in-law; and five brothers and two sisters.
A Funeral Service in Celebration of Lorene’s Life will be held at the Messiah Lutheran Church, 4810 – 50 Street, Camrose on Thursday, September 12, 2024, at 1:00 p.m., with Pastor Bev Swanson officiating. Following the service, she will be laid to rest beside her loving husband William in the Valleyview Cemetery, Camrose. If desired, memorial donations in Lorene’s memory may be made directly to the Rimbey Hospital and Care Centre – Area Two, c/o the Rimbey Hospital Legacy Committee, Box 440, Rimbey, Alberta T0C 2J0 (www.rimbeyhospitallegacycommittee.com). Thoughts and messages to the family may be shared through the condolence area located at the bottom of this page.
Service and Burial Arrangements for the Late Lorene Ellen Johnson entrusted to the care of
