from "​Double Cousins" by Ralph Hammersborg,  A Norwegian Family Chronicle, produced in 1996

Ralph Hammersborg had asked his Mother’s cousins to write about their lives.  The cousin's stories are taken from "Double Cousins by Ralph Hammersborg, A Norwegian Family Chronicle, produced in 1996.”   Birth dates of living relatives have been removed from the original text.

1926 - Lillian Florence (Johnson) Hammersburg

born September 6, 1926, died at age 57 on July 29, 1984
Daughter of Johnie & Marie Johnson

 (written by Ralph Hammersborg)

 Lillian was the fourth child of Marie and Johnie.  She was born in Blaine, on September 6, 1926. She went to Ferndale High School.  She told me that she did not learn the rules of football because all of the strong boys were in the service during World war II, her high school years. She didn't understand and love basketball.  One highlight was the christening of a yard tug in the Bellingham shipyard.  She was chosen to crack the bottle of champagne on the bow of the ship.  She cut her hand but it was well worth it; she was given an engraved watch and roses.  A picture with her parents (everyone dressed up) commemorates the occasion, as well as a newspaper article.

 After high school, Lillian moved to Seattle and worked for Manning's Restaurant.  She often talked about those experiences and enjoyed returning as a customer.  Soon she enrolled at Seattle Pacific College.  There she made many lifelong friends, not the least of whom was Myrl.  They were married on March 22, 1948.  Ralph Martin was born soon after.  Myrl graduated in June and they moved to Chicago, where Myrl went to North Park Seminary.

 There were many moves in the next few years.  Myrl pastored churches in Ishpeming, Michigan, and Butte, Montana.  Karen Marie was born in Ishpeming.  There was an opportunity for FAA (then CAA) electronics training in Oklahoma City that opened ministry doors for the family.  Summers were often spent back in Washington state.  The Lord had other plans for Myrl and took him home on December 29, 1953.  Lillian move back to Seattle and bought a house just two blocks from her mother.

 That was to be home for the next 10 years.  She worked for a while doing domestic work, then secretarial work for “Life Messengers”, a Christian publishing company.  With the wonderful support of her family, she returned to Seattle Pacific College and received her teaching certificate.  Lillian taught first grade in the Shoreline School District north of Seattle for 20 years.  In 1964 she bought a house with her mother, the two of them shared that home for 20 years.

 Lillian was very active in her church activities.  She taught Sunday school at Interbay Covenant Church.  She served in many capacities on the board there and supported the work of the Covenant Church.

 She was adventurous.  The family did a lot of camping and outdoor activities.  The extended family got together often for birthdays and special occasions.  Lillian loved to travel and took Marie, Ralph, and Karen on an 11,000 mile trip around the country in 1966.  It was a time to renew acquaintances and meet family around 40 of the 50 states.  She loved to travel with friends to Hawaii, Alaska, and Europe, as well as every nook and cranny at Washington.

In 1974 she developed a problem with one eye that was diagnosed to be melanoma cancer.  It was contained within the eye and was removed with the eye.  She lived a full and unrestricted life until 1984 when she was diagnosed to have melanoma of the liver.  She had taught school up until Memorial Day but could not continue on.  She died on July 29th, 1984 and is buried with Myrl in Bremerton.

 Her son, Ralph, married Marilyn Alice Anderson on September 11, 1971.  They have three sons Ralph Martin, Anders Jonathan, and Karl Peter Rainier.  Ralph and Marilyn are both teachers in the Seattle School District.  Ralph also does boat captain work.

 Her daughter, Karen Marie, married Steve Pettyjohn and lives near Woodinville.  Steve owns and operates Maltby Works (farm machinery repair) and Karen has worked for the University of Washington Medical Center for 15 years

Click on a link below to continue with the JOHNSON FAMILY photos and stories.

Same links as the Home page

Johnson Family (home)  - Kinstories (home)  -  Susag Family  -  Flatau Family  -  Beckman Family
Granquist Family  -  Anderson Family  -  Stout Family  -  Walker Family  -  Peterson Family  -  Morris Family  - Cauble Family