Sara Jo Johnson passed away Monday, Jan. 16, 2017, at Golden Girls Residential Care, from causes related to age. She was 89.
Sara Jo was born April 16, 1927, at a ranch on Red River, Idaho, to Clint and Mabel (Wren) Gibler. She graduated from Kamiah High School as valedictorian in 1945. She married Donald G. Johnson on June 9, 1946, in Sheridan, Ore.
Sara Jo and Don lived in Grangeville, Yakima, Kamiah, Richland and Lewiston. Relationships with people are what she lived for. Years of visiting, building relationships and caring for others went into her motel business. She owned and operated the Dan Dee Motel in Kamiah from 1962 to 1972. Her love for people led her to work with Dr. Buttermore in Grangeville, and to her business adventure owning Hairway 21 in Lewiston. Her love for people showed most of all in her relationships with her family.
Her parents homesteaded in Red River, where the extended family still congregates. Sara Jo was the hub of family history, stories and just the right amount of gossip. She liked to play bridge and pinochle, give haircuts, have potlucks and sing-alongs and spend winters in Arizona. Everyone in her family has a sweet tooth, so her baking skills were on high demand, especially her cinnamon rolls - the gooey kind.
Sara Jo was involved in a wide variety of clubs and organizations, including the Kamiah Parent Teacher Association and Eastern Star. She served as president of the Idaho Motel Association, was a guardian for Job's Daughters, a den mother for the Cub Scouts and was a pink lady for St. Joseph Regional Medical Center.
Her family would like to thank Evergreen Estates, Dr. Weiland, Golden Girls Residential Care and especially Pat Fowler for the loving care she provided.
Sara Jo is survived by children Michael (Barbara) Johnson, Daniel (Annie) Johnson and Debra Jo Johnson (Edwin Litteneker); brother Robert Gibler; grandchildren Tony Johnson, Shane Johnson, Jeff Gouge, Stacy Hunt, Travis Hunt, Clinton Johnson, Krysta Jensen, Tobianne Peterson, Desirae Reed, Gary Stenzel, Lisa Neely, Todd Stenzel, Mark Stenzel, Rachel Moran, Joey Litteneker and Ben Litteneker; and many loved great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Mabel and Clint Gibler; and siblings Berta, Bill, Dick, Jim, Fred and Paul.
A celebration of life will be held at 1 p.m. Monday at Malcom's Brower-Wann Funeral Home, 1711 18th St., Lewiston.
Service Information
- Date & Time
- Monday, January 23, 1:00 PM
- Location
-
Malcom's Brower-Wann Funeral Home
1711 18th Street
Lewiston, ID 83501
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Condolences
Virginia Daugherty
My deepest sympathy in your loss of Sara Jo. She was a wonderful, gracious lady. Many memories of
her and Don living here in Kamiah. May the Peace of Christ be with you all.
Monday, January 23, 2017 6:41 AM
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