Dorothy "Dottie" (Carlson) Johnson

Dorothy “Dottie” Carlson Johnson was born July 1, 1933, in Austin, TX to Swedish Immigrant parents, Ernest and Hildur Carlson, and baptized on August 27, 1933, in New Sweden, TX. She was confirmed at St. Paul Lutheran Church by Pastor Albert Jesse in Austin, TX on March 30, 1947. Dottie graduated from Austin High School and met her beloved husband, Ernest “Ernie” Johnson while he was in Austin from Ft. Hood visiting his sister. They married on August 20, 1955. They built their life in Austin, continuing to be active members at St. Paul Lutheran church, and had three children, Karen, Jeff, and Kim whom all attended St. Paul Lutheran school. After staying home with their children, Dottie held various jobs before retiring from the University of Texas Austin where she spent 17 years as a Secretary for the Bureau of Economic Geology. Dottie also enjoyed serving on the Altar Guild at St. Paul Lutheran Church and did so for 30 years. She loved her church family as her own and made everyone feel welcome. Whomever met Dottie, loved her, her welcoming personality, and her wonderful sense of humor.

Dottie loved traveling with Ernie, and they experienced many places and adventures together. One of her most favorite places to go was Rockport, Texas where they would spend a month every summer fishing, relaxing, and enjoying family and friends who came to visit. Dottie has countless memorabilia of their Rockport trips and other travels. Her children and grandchildren have wonderful memories of visiting them in Rockport, spending time at favorite restaurants, fishing on the pier, and drinking coffee and chatting on the hotel balcony. She would also have her grandkids over to decorate their Christmas tree and decorate Christmas cookies. There were lots of laughs and wonderful memories made. She enjoyed getting together with friends whether it was to go to dinner, play dominos, or sit on their screened in back porch. She loved taking pictures and always had her camera, and her family joked about her needing “just one more picture.”

Dottie passed away peacefully surrounded by her family and was welcomed into Heaven on November 18, 2023. She is preceded in death by her parents, Ernest and Hildur Carlson, and her siblings, Ivan Carlson, Darryl Carlson, and Norine Pittsford. She is survived by her loving and devoted husband of over 68 years, Ernie Johnson; her children Karen (Jeff Sones), Jeff (Lory Johnson) and Kim (Chris Lockhart); eight grandchildren, and six great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the St. Paul Lutheran Church Altar Guild, 3501 Red River Street, Austin, Texas 78705.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.cookwaldencapitalparks.com for Dottie's family.