January 20, 1925 – November 16, 2023
Phyllis Johnson was the beloved wife of Clifton Johnson, our mother, sister, aunt, and a friend to many.
Born in Okaton, South Dakota, Phyllis was the fourth of five children. She greeted this world a few minutes before her twin sister Flora.
Early in the Depression, the family moved to Washington State. She grew up in rural Whatcom County, where they could keep a garden and some chickens, cut their own wood for heat and cooking, and draw water from a dug well.
Throughout her life, Phyllis had a love of music. She and her twin sister Flora competed in local talent contests. The girls harmonized as only sisters can.
In 1941, Phyllis started at Meridian High School where she participated in plays, musicals, and with Flora was a song leader at basketball games. Because of school district changes, the girls transferred to Bellingham High School, graduating in 1943; it was a bit of a disappointment, because Phyllis had just been elected Girls Club President at Meridian High School.
Phyllis met her future husband Clifton at a county fair, and they dated frequently until he enlisted into the Navy during WWII. Meanwhile, Phyllis worked at a hardware store reviewing sales slips and documenting lead, copper, and leather "for the war effort." She and Flora went on to take courses in secretarial school. Phyllis was hired by State Farm Insurance Company. During that time, she shared a room at the "Y" with two of her sisters. Often a bus would gather up girls from the Y and drive them to the Naval station on Whidbey Island for a USO dance. Each young lady was carefully identified and counted to ensure that every one of them returned on the bus home.
Clifton returned to Bellingham following WWII, and he soon proposed. They married on the 10th of August, 1947. Phyllis continued to work at State Farm while Clifton went to school on the GI Bill.
When Clifton was hired by Everett School district, the couple moved from Bellingham to Everett, WA, where they lived for 14 years and started a family. Meanwhile, Phyllis became the secretary at the Church of God in Everett.
Wanting to extend her musical abilities, she took piano lessons in the 1950s. Most of her adult life Phyllis sang in church choirs and small groups.
The church was an important center to her life, where she volunteered for missionary support groups and social events. She also volunteered at the local Camp Fire Girls’ offices in Everett.
For exercise, Phyllis walked throughout the local neighborhood or to get groceries but would also exercise with Jack LaLanne, a television personality. Eventually she joined a bowling league that was walking distance from home. She’d say she was never very good, but they sure had fun.
In 1963, after Clifton accepted a promotion, the family moved to Issaquah. It was a big change to move from a city to a rural town of a mere 1000 citizens, but Phyllis quickly made new friends through the church and among the many families in their neighborhood. She joined another bowling league and also learned and enjoyed playing Bridge with friends. She continued her volunteer work with the church and at a local nursing home where she played piano for weekly religious services.
A natural artist, she started drawing as a child, inspired by comic strips and pictures in magazines. As an adult, she made posters and decorations for social events. In the 60s she took courses in oil painting, flower arranging, and decorating. Later in life, she learned needlepoint, excelling in this new medium. Her family cherish many of her pieces.
Clifton and Phyllis were life partners, happily in love throughout their marriage They worked and played and worshiped together. Phyllis supported his career working as his typist, editor, and proofreader as he completed his Master thesis and Doctoral dissertation in Education. He reciprocated by giving time to care for her and their family.
With retirement, they had time to relax. Phyllis wrote, "Over the following years we traveled far and wide from what I believed was possible as a child. I can vividly remember hearing people talk about Seattle. Would I ever be able to travel that far? ... Now, as I look back, we have traveled to the four corners of the United States, up and down the Mississippi River several times, on over to Europe...Sailed on cruise ships in the Atlantic, Pacific, and the Mediterranean Sea. Never in my childish dreams would I have believed that would ever be possible!"
Phyllis’s sincere Christian faith guided her throughout her life. Always kind, always gentle, she taught her children through her speech, actions, and practical instruction--naturally and gently using circumstances to demonstrate right from wrong. One example is her insistence that “hate” is too strong a word to use against another person. Phyllis gave practical support in reading, writing, diction, home accounting, nursing, and the arts. She taught her children to sing and assured they had extra instruction in playing instruments, emphasizing the pursuit of their heart and talents.
Phyllis was always a lady, proper and soft-spoken often referring to herself as shy; yet, sometimes she’d surprise others with her sense of humor. They’d be surprised when she’d make a straight faced-comment catching them off-guard, or she’d set a spoon innocently in just the wrong place; but, a twinkle in her eye would give her away. And oh, when she got the giggles, it was an infectious experience for us all.
Above all else, Phyllis loved her husband, Clifton. There could be no other. They walked together through 63 years of work, play, and faith in God.
Phyllis was the last survivor of her generation. She is preceded in death by her best friend and true love, Clifton; her parents Jubal and Delia Jorgenson; brother Thomas, and sisters Clara, Doris, and Flora. She is survived by daughter Diana Starr, son Ted Johnson, son-in-law Richard Starr, daughter-in-law Beth Quigley; grandchildren Kris Johnson, Melissa Huizenga, Jason Starr; and great-grandchildren Marie Johnson, Erik Johnson, Clayson Huizenga, and Jacqueline Starr. Together, we praise and celebrate a life so fully and well lived.
We will hold a memorial service at Greenwood Memorial Park in Renton, WA.
1:00 PM
Friday June 7th
All friends and family are welcome to attend.
In lieu of flowers, please send a donation either to the Alzheimer’s Society, Insight for Living, or the Multiple Sclerosis Association.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.greenwoodmempark.com for the Johnson family
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