On Sunday, November 28, 2021, at approximately 10:25 PM, in Salt Lake City, Utah, a noble and great spirit passed peacefully through the veil in to the world of spirits. With many of her family gathered around her hospital bed, Irene Albertina Anderson Johnson beloved daughter, sister, wife and mother, valiantly fought a brief but painful battle with cancer.
Irene was born May 22, 1963 to Einar Englberth Anderson and Ulla-Britt Viktoria Andersson, in Salt Lake City, Utah, the youngest of eight children. She is survived by four brothers and two sisters: Kjell (Sybil White), Leif (Analee Mott), Glen (Chris Gorrie), Dianne (Jon Allen), Elaine (Guy Thompson) and Wayne (Terra Campbell). Marianne (Wayne Anderson) the oldest sister preceded her parents and all her siblings in death.
Irene graduated from Granite High School in 1981. While in high school, she took French to fill her language requirement, learned to play the flute, was part of the student UN Committee and JROTC; and also loved learning about ancient Egypt and the European Renaissance.
Soon after graduation, Irene survived the devastating still-birth of her beloved daughter Rebekkah in 1982. Trying to recover from this tragedy, Irene took the opportunity to go to Alaska and stay with her brother Leif and his wife, Analee. Then, with her strong fighting spirit, Irene came back to Utah. She started working for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as a receptionist for the Family History department in the Church Office Building. Meanwhile, she met and married Lane W. Heaps. Together they had three daughters: Cassandra (Adam Webster), Nicole and Amie. Amie died within 24 hours after her birth in 1988. Lane and Irene were later separated, in 1993. In 1996, while going through her divorce, Irene also tragically lost her sister Marianne.
During the separation and the divorce, Irene left employment with the LDS Church because of the tender feelings it raised within her. Now, a single mother, she courageously raised her daughters the best she knew how. In a noble effort to support herself and her family, she worked several other jobs. About 2002, Irene began working full-time as a receptionist for the recently founded Huntsman Cancer Institute, as well as working evenings as a part-time cashier for RC Willey.
After mourning the loss of her mother, whom passed away on January 27, 2005, Irene felt very strongly inspired to once again serve in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As a young girl, Irene, loved going to visit Temple Square, where she could feel peace and renew her strength and faith. The for visiting continued as Irene grew and matured. In 2001, the Conference Center was completed and became part of Temple Square. Irene continued to grow as did her testimony, then in July of 2005, Irene felt the desire to volunteer with her ward for their stake cleaning assignment of the Conference Center which she enjoyed and later became employed as a custodian/caretaker of this important church facility. Irene enjoyed her job and played a significant part in preparing for all of the events held in the Conference Center.
During the summer of 2005, while working at the Conference Center, Irene met Richard Kim Johnson. They felt an instant attraction to each other. Even though they had captured eachother’s hearts early on, Irene already gained wisdom from the challenges of her past relationships, and did not want to jump into another romantic entanglement and have her heart broken again, and neither did Kim. Irene and Kim took it slow and became best friends first, later they were married on November 7, 2007. From this union came a daughter, Kimbrienn Ariel Johnson, born in October 2008. On June 8, 2009, Irene’s father, Einar passed away. The Johnson family was sealed in the Salt Lake Temple, April 7, 2016 by Elder Dale G. Renlund.
Irene had the opportunity to be custodian/caretaker in the Salt Lake Temple beginning in 2013. She graciously left this position in September of 2015, so Kim could take a position as an Assistant Housekeeping Supervisor. In order to help with the needs of the family, Irene continued to use her skills and talents in employment outside the home. A few of these include: server at a senior care facility, a server and cook at the Lion House, she was then asked as to be a senior custodian at the Church Administration Building, and most recently was employed at the Draper Temple.
Irene loved her families Swedish ancestry and heritage. Her grandparents, Oskar and Albertina, as well as her parents and three oldest siblings immigrated from Sweden to the United States shortly after WWII.
Irene was caught up with the magic and family traditions of Christmas—Lutheran Advent, the Santa Lucia Pageant and the Christmas tree up before December 11th (Ulla’s birthday). In Sweden, Christmas officially began on December 24th with a family gathering at the Smorgasbord table and dancing around the tree along with singing traditional Swedish Christmas carols and hymns. On December 25th, they celebrated Christmas morning in the traditional American fashion, then later that evening celebrated Einar's birthday. Irene loved decorating her house (inside and out) for each of the holidays and consequently have a “houseful” of storage buckets. Irene greatly enjoyed family vacations and road trips. She loved the outdoors and especially the Wasatch Mountains. Irene, Cassandra and Nicole would drive up the canyons with their dog, Jessee, in a barely running car. They would roll down the windows and “catch” the mountain air. When Kim came along, they continued that same tradition. Irene was the Young Women’s Camp director for over 10 years as well as a ward Nursery leader and a Primary teacher at the time Kimbrienn was at that age. Just before anyone knew she was sick, she was called as a special representative in the ward Young Women’s organization. She could again be with Kimbrienn. Most especially, and above everything that has been listed, the greatest desire and joy of her huge heart and beautiful soul was, is and always will be the love she has for each and every friend and family member including her grandchildren; Thomas, Isabel, Noah, Avery, Hyrum and Mateo. IRENE, WE WILL MISS YOU!!! God be with us till we meet again.
Irene is survived by cousins, nieces and nephews, her brothers and sisters, grandchildren and her three daughters; Cassandra, Nicole and Kimbrienn, and husband R. Kim Johnson. She is also survived by many friends.
A viewing will be held on Sunday, December 5, 2021 from 6:00-8:00 PM at the Wesley Road Building, Eastridge Ward, 5235 S. Wesley Road, Murray, Utah. Funeral Services will be held Monday, December 6, 2021 at 11:00 AM at the same location, with a viewing prior to the service from 10:00-10:45AM. For those that are unable to attend services please join us via live stream at
The family wishes to express their appreciation to the staff at Wasatch Lawn Mortuary and Cemetery for their kind, dignified and diligent service. Also, with profound gratitude we thank all friends and family who brought comfort and solace during Irene’s suffering and final passing. A very special thank you to all the doctors, nurses and staff at Huntsman Cancer Institute for taking such great care of Irene.
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