Obituary of Martha Johnson

Johnson: Martha Susanna (Wenzel) passed away in the Jubilee Home, Lloydminster, Saskatchewan on Sunday, March 12, 2006 at the age o83 years. Martha is survived by: ten children - Lynette and Delbert Parks of St. Albert, Morgan and Irene of Lloydminster, Nora McLean of Edmonton, Inez Moffat of Rivercourse, Gladys Coppens of Lloydminster, Edward and Donna of Kitscoty, Teresa and Bob Parkyn of Breton, Albert and Anne of Calgary, Ivor of Kitscoty, Sherry and Terry Kennedy of Cache Creek, BC; thirty-five grandchildren, forty-four great grandchildren, two great great grandchildren, four sisters, five brothers as well as numerous other relatives. Martha was predeceased by her husband Lloyd in 1991, her father Ewald in 1979, her mother Maggie in 1995, her sisters Doris in 1926 and Lily in 1991, two sons-in-law: Donald in 1978 and Lloyd in 2003. The funeral service for Martha was conducted from the Southridge Community Church on Friday, March 17, 2006 with Reverend Mike Morgan officiating. The eulogy was read by Bernice Moffat and Stacey Coppens. Martha was born in Leader, Saskatchewan on August 13, 1922. Martha was the eldest child in a family of thirteen. Grandma learned German as a young girl and could still speak some. Grandma often worked side by side with her father on the family farm. She cherished the time she was able to spend with her father who taught her the values of nurturing all forms of life, which inspired a zest for countless passions including family and gardening. She loved to spend the day picking berries and tending to the garden or flowers. On November 19, 1941 she married Lloyd Johnson. While in the military they lived in numerous locations in B.C. In 1955, Grandma and Grandpa moved to Chauvin, Alberta where she was a member of the Royal Purple, serving as the secretary for 15 years and the secretary for Home and School Division. In 1972, they moved to Lloydminster where they resided permanently. Grandma loved family gatherings and gave freely of hospitality, kindness, baking, meals, first aid, hugs, respect and love. Her home was a beehive of activity with numerous friends or family dropping by. He door never closed and her heart was always open. In 2004, Grandma’s health started to decline and she had to undergo renal dialysis thus prompting her to move to the Jubilee Home. She took pleasure in helping when needed, playing bingo, card games, crafts and crossword puzzles. In the last year, Grandma’s mobility increased with an electric wheel chair and a van with a lift. When you went to visit her, it often took several minutes to find her as she was cruising the halls. She enjoyed visiting with the staff and developed new friendships. Honorary pallbearers: (Granddaughters) Donna Barney, Charlotte Delta, Nola Johnson, Susan St. Denis, Nicole Charlton, Kimberley Johnson, Kacie Johnson, Pam Johnson and Dana Kennedy. Active pallbearers: (Grandsons) Don Parks, Roy Johnson, Bob Moffat, Adair Coppens, Jason Johnson, Ashley Parkyn, Shaun Johnson and Kyle Kennedy. Interment followed in the Normanna Cemetery. McCaw Funeral Service Ltd., of Lloydminster administered the funeral arrangements. Special thanks to the staff of the Jubilee Home, nurses of the Lloydminster Dialysis Unit and the ambulance attendants. In addition, special thank you to Dean Wenzel and Glenn McCaw for the comfort and assistance in our time of grief. The Martha Johnson Family Donations in memory of Martha may be made to the Lloydminster Hospital Kidney Dialysis Unit.