Mrs. Julia Thomas Johnson was born June 13, 1875, in Black River Falls, the oldest daughter of the late James Thomas and Mary Ann Levis Thomas, pioneers of this region.
She passed away Friday, November 25, 1949, at the Penton home, where she was staying with her sister, Mrs. A.L. Gilbertson. She had been as well as usual that day and her sudden death about 10 p.m. was due to a heart attack. On June 1, 1948, she had suffered a fall which resulted in a broken hip and had spent a number of months in the hospital. She had recovered sufficiently to get around on crutches again and was fairly active. She spent a number of months at the home of her daughter, Mrs. C.F. Sprester, after returning from the hospital, and then joined her sisters, Mrs. George E. Penton and Mrs. A.L. Gilbertson, in the Penton home, the former Levis home in the first ward, where she had since remained.
Funeral services were held the Monday following her death at 2 p.m., at the Penton home, the Rev. Winslow Wilson officiating. The song service was given by her nephew, Donn Holder, with her niece, Miss Jahala Noble, as accompanist. Three nieces, Mrs. A.L. Hansen, Mrs. Patricia Scofield and Mrs. Donn Holder, and Miss Nicky Sickner were in charge of flowers. Six nephews, W.L. Gilbertson, Thomas Johnson, Pat and Mike Thomas, Max Thomas and Donn Holder were pallbearers. Interment was made in the Thomas family lot at Riverside.
Mrs. Johnson attended high school in this city and fitted herself for a teacher. Her first school was in New Denamora, north of town at the mouth of Levis creek, where there was than quite a settlement. She wawlked to and from school daily from this city. She also taught in the Kenyon Valley, Pine Hill, North Bend, Irving schools and in the Rath district near Cataract. She worked in Cataract in the store of her cousin the late John Scantleton. In 1901 she went to the state of Washington with her friend the late Miss Minnie Klein, who had an uncle living there. Mrs. Johnson taught for three years near La Conner, Washington and on June 1, 1904 was married in La Conner, to Elwood Johnson. He preceded her in death in 1926.
Mrs. Johnson spent 40 years in Washington before returning here in December, 1941, to be near her family. She was very fond of the west coast, the climate there, and the good friends she had made. Her only recompense for the three was the fact that she was near her family. She had been assistant postmistress in La Conner for a number of years before coming here.
She is survived and deeply mourned by her three children; Maxine, Mrs. Clarence F. Sprester, and Vernon Johnson, of this city; and Karla, Mrs. W.E. Sickner of Solon Springs. She leaves one grandson, Jimmy Sprester. All were present for her services.
She is also survived by five sisters and four brothers; Margaret, Mrs. George E. Penton, of Coronach, Saskatchewan, Canada, who had expected to join her sisters at any time in her home here but who wwas unable to attend the funeral; Emma, Mrs. A.L. Gilbertson; Thressa, Mrs F.E. Durrin; Harriet, Mrs. James B. Noble; and Grace, Mrs. D.W.A. Holder. Her brothers are Mark, Frank, Levis and Arthur Thomas, all of this city.
Mrs. Johnson was a rarely devoted mother, a loyal sister. She was beloved by family and friends for her many fine qualities, sweetness, gentleness, humor and an appreciation of all the kindnesses extended to her. She will be sadly missed.
Among those from away who attended the funeral were Mrs. W.E. Sickner and daughter, Miss Nicky Sickner, of Solon Springs; Mrs. Harvey Rucker and Mrs. Stephen Zeman of Melrose; Mrs. Clarence Olson, of Humbird; Mrs. William Dietrich and son Manfred, of Owen; Mr. and Mrs. Richard Gathje, of Rochester, Minn.