Sara Ann (Sally) Johnson

Sara Ann (Sally) Johnson passed away Thursday, May 7, 2015. She was born on August 16, 1917, in Dayton, Wash., to Nancy Della Harless and Walter Chessman.  She was the youngest of five siblings and spent most of her life in Eastern Washington. She dearly loved her stepfather, Claude Fisk, and often told stories about him.  Sally graduated from Rosalia High School.  She married Wesley C. Johnson on September 6, 1937, as he entered the Army and went to Germany to serve in World War II.  They later raised their family in Coulee Dam, where Wes worked at the dam as a powerhouse operator and Sally supervised the school lunch program. She enjoyed the outdoors, gardening, fishing, traveling, sports, sewing and cooking great food.  She and Wes were married for 69 years, and she was very proud of that. She loved time with family, always happy around the children, and was the favorite aunt to her nieces and nephews.

Sally loved the Lord, and taught Sunday School for several years. She was a member of the United Methodist Church. She was also a past member of the American Legion Women's Auxiliary. 

She is survived by her son, Ron Johnson, and wife, Judy, of Columbia Falls, Mont., and her daughter Laurel Ann Stroklund and husband Jim of Yakima, Wash. Sally has four grandsons: Chris and Stacey Johnson, Eric Johnson and Rhiannan Bragg, Paul Johnson, and Jared Stroklund; a granddaughter, Sara and Ricky Thomas, and five great-grandchildren. She enjoyed family gatherings including step-grandchildren Adam Weed and Jenny Williams, and Andrew Weed and Lindsey Flint after she moved to Columbia Falls in 2008. She also became especially close to friends Connie Kenfield, Tammy Burgduff, and Zoe Snook.

Reverend Debra Wacker will officiate a graveside service at Spring Canyon Cemetery near Grand Coulee, Wash., on Friday, May 29 at 1 p.m.  In memory of Sally's sweet, servant-spirit, we suggest you simply perform an act of kindness; any gift, be it time or money that would lift up another person's spirit or provide a helping hand would be an honor.

Columbia Mortuary is caring for Sara's family.