Wanda Mae Johnson

Wanda Mae Johnson passed away on July 6th, 2021 in Castle Rock, CO. She was born in a farmhouse in Sand Hill, MO on May 27, 1939, to Charles Robert and Nellie Dinah Gilmer. Wanda was delivered in the middle of the night by a doctor who came by horse and buggy. At age 11, her family, along with her older brother Robert Lloyd, relocated to Rutledge, MO where her fondest memories of growing up took place and had always held a special place in her heart for the rest of her life.

While in high school, she worked her first and most enjoyable job as part-time old school telephone switchboard operator for Ma Bell.

At age sixteen, Wanda met the love of her life, Richard Wayne Johnson Sr, who was enlisted in the United States Navy, at a local soda shop and the two married six months later on St. Patrick’s Day, 1956. In May, 1957, they welcomed their first child Richard Wayne Jr. in Lawrence, KS and they went on to have two more children Rhonda Gail in New Iberia Parish, LA in October, 1962 and Joseph Charles in San Diego, CA in January, 1968.

During her adulthood, Wanda was a committed and loyal Navy wife and loving mother. Throughout her husband’s career, Wanda lived in Okinawa Japan along with being stationed at various military bases throughout the United States with Whidbey Island Naval Air Station, in Oak Harbor, WA as their last military assignment before Wayne’s retirement from the Navy.

After the military, both Wayne & Wanda ran two privately owned business with Johnson Home Maintenance in Oak Harbor, WA and Mustang Corral in Burlington, WA until they both officially retired in the early 1990’s.

She was a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, loved traveling & shopping, the holidays and Japanese culture (artwork & food) all while listening to country music or watching classic westerns on TV.

She was proceeded in death by her husband AMHC Chief Petty Officer (RET) Richard Wayne Johnson Sr. in 2013 along with her brother and parents. Wanda is survived by her children Lt. Col (RET) Richard Wayne Johnson Jr. (Kimberly) of Issaquah, WA; Rhonda Gail Johnson of St. Mary’s, GA; Joseph Charles Johnson (Catherine) of Castle Pines, CO; Grandchildren Carly Gartside (Jeff) NH; Sabrina Johnson CA; Rachel Johnson GA; Joshua Johnson (Brittany) CA, Logan Johnson CO; Arianna Johnson CO and six great grandchildren.

A service will be held on Friday, August 20th, 2021 at 1:15pm at Tahoma National Cemetery, 18600 SE 240th St, Kent, WA 98042. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association (www.diabetes.org)