OLIVE JOHNSON

1918 - 2014

The family of Olive Eliza Johnson (nee Hall) announces her passing in Lethbridge on Sunday, September 28, 2014 at the age of 96 years.
Relatives and friends were invited to meet with the family at Southland Funeral Chapel, 5006 - 48 Avenue, Taber on Thursday, October 2, 2014 between 7:00 P.M. and 8:00 P.M. and also at the church prior to the funeral service on Friday, October 3, 2014 between 10:00 A.M. and 10:40 A.M.
The Funeral Service was held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Taber Stake Centre, 4709 - 50 Avenue, Taber on Friday, October 3, 2014 at 11:00 A.M. with Bishop Tyler Johnson conducting. Burial followed at the Taber Memorial Garden.
Olive was born May 1, 1918 to Orson E. (Ott) and Ethel (nee Evans) Hall, early homesteaders northeast of Taber. She attended Taber Central School. As a young woman she worked as an operator for Alberta Government Telephones. Except for one year working in Edmonton during WWII, and a year and a half Church mission in London, England, she spent her lifetime in Taber.
Olive married Cecil Johnson on May 15, 1944 in Edmonton. He was the owner of Johnson’s Taber Drug, and when he passed away in 1963 she assumed ownership and became a successful business woman. For fifty one years, Olive has lived as a widow, spending the last few years at Clearview Lodge.
Community involvement included membership in the Taber Coin Club and the Taber Stamp Club, President of the Lady Lions and the seniors’ Parkside Manor. She was a volunteer at the Taber Hospital, Westlake Elementary School, and Taber and District Museum. Olive was a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, holding many Ward positions, including President of Primary, Young Women’s and Relief Society organizations. She also served as President of the Taber Stake Relief Society. Of all her service, she considered Primary, working with little children, the dearest.
Olive had a great love of family, and hosted many get togethers and reunions. She hand quilted over one hundred quilts for family members. Other interests included sewing, rug weaving, woodworking, collecting antiques, playing the flute in a seniors’ orchestra, writing poetry, clogging and line dancing. She and her brother, Evan, won ballroom dancing competitions in the Alberta Summer Games.
Olive is survived by her daughter, Cecily Nelson of Utah, sons Murray (Virginia) Johnson of the Cayman Islands and Graham (Lyn) of Surrey, British Columbia, foster son Jim (Ellie) Tatoosh of Ladysmith, British Columbia and daughter-in-law Bonnie Johnson of Lethbridge. She was “Nana” to fourteen grandchildren and many great grandchildren who have innumerable treasured memories of a loving grandmother. Sisters Rae Eller of Utah and Enid Kinniburgh of Olds also survive Olive, as well as many nieces and nephews and their families.
Olive was predeceased by her husband Cecil Johnson, son Cecil Eric Johnson, parents, three sisters, Marjorie, Rita and Usona and two brothers Evan and Gordon Hall.
The family extends their gratitude to the staff and residents of Clearview Lodge for the wonderful care and friendships she experienced there.