Edward Palmer Johnson

Edward Palmer Johnson was a family man. Born the third child of four to Richard R. Johnson and Sigrid E. Johnson (nee Palmer), Ed grew up in Great Falls, Montana. His father worked on the Great Northern Railroad (Great Falls to Butte run), and his mother ran the family farm. Ed always described his brother Ray as his third birthday present. When they were in elementary school, Ed was a fierce defender of his older sister, Theresia, when she was bullied by other students.

After graduation from Great Falls High School in 1941, Ed worked in a bank, until he was drafted into the army. He served under General Patton in Europe, as a forward observer and radio operator, and as part of the force that liberated the Buchenwald concentration camp.

After being discharged in 1946, Ed moved to Seattle, and attended the University of Washington, graduating in 1950. While a student, Ed met his future wife, Kathleen Heidbreder. He said he walked into a room with a friend, spotted Kathy, and told his friend “That's the girl I'm going to marry.”

Ed and Kathy married January 20, 1951. Their marriage was blessed with two children: Steven Palmer and Joanne Kathleen. Ed and Kathy were married 66 years, when Kathy was called to glory on March 20, 2017.

Ed worked for McDougal's Drug, then as the controller of the University Book Store for 39 years, retiring in 1991.

Ed and Kathy were members of Messiah Lutheran Church, and raised their children in the Christian faith. Ed and Kathy sang in the church choir, and Steve remembers sitting with his mom on the bottom choir riser, and when he was bored, crawled to the top riser, from which he was passed to his dad. Steve also remembers setting a record for being taken out of church and spanked!

Ed and Kathy both served the Lord in many ways. Ed was a member of the church council, and a longtime member of the Board of Elders. They both were involved with evangelism, and Ed also helped Kathy when she was on the Altar Guild.

Ed also served his community as a member of the University Lions Club.

Shortly after they both retired, Ed and Kathy took the trip of a lifetime, managing the bookstore aboard the University of Pittsburgh's Semester at Sea, a six month trip around the world. They took every side trip they could along they way. The highlight of the voyage was meeting Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa.

Ed was 99 years old when he was called to glory, May 26, 2022. He was predeceased by his parents, his older brother Carl Richard, his sister, and his wife Kathy. He is survived by his son, Steve (Norma), his daughter Joanne Estergreen, grandchildren Karl Johnson (Jenny), Mikael Johnson (Shea), Alexander Johnson (Amanda), Philip Estergreen, and Laura Estergreen, and by four great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother Ray (Charlotte), and by 5 nieces and nephews and their families.

Visitation for Edward P. Johnson is at 10 a.m. June 17, 2022, with burial following at 11 a.m, both at Evergreen Washelli Funeral Home and Cemetery, 11111 N. Aurora, Seattle. A memorial service will be held the same day at 2 p.m., at Messiah Lutheran Church, 7050 35th Avenue NE, Seattle.