Esther Johnson

1927 - 2016

Esther Patricia Johnson, beloved wife of the late Gordon Johnson, passed away in Taber on Friday, January 29, 2016 at the age of 88 years.

 The Funeral Service was held at the Vauxhall Mennonite Brethren Church, 320 - 9 Street North, Vauxhall on Friday, February 5, 2016 at 2:00 P.M. Burial followed at the Vauxhall Cemetery. 

 Esther is survived by her three sons Clarence (Peggy) Johnson of Medicine Hat and their children Laurel (Gary) Porochnavy and Kirk (Barb) Johnson and their families; Arnold (Robyn) Johnson of High River and their children Sharla (Rick) Johnson, Nadine (Jim) Tharle and Kara (Mike) Johnson and their families; Les (Sherry) Johnson of Vauxhall and their children Cody (Megan) Johnson and Lindsay (Johnathan) Stober and their families. Her family was her pride, this included seventeen great grandchildren. She is also lovingly remembered by her sisters Ida Kimber of Vauxhall, Lorene (Jim) Winter of Moose Jaw and Edna (Russell) Todd of Calgary; brother-in-law Lloyd (Shirley) Schmidt of Weyburn, Saskatchewan as well as many nieces and nephews.

 Esther was predeceased by her husband Gordon (1998),  her parents Peter and Maria Bergen, sisters Louise Schmidt and Verna Neufeldt and brother Melvin Bergen. She was also predeceased by her brothers-in-law John Neufeldt and Harry Kimber as well as all of Gordon’s siblings.

 Esther was born to Peter and Maria Bergen on May 19, 1927 at Beechy, Saskatchewan. In 1932 the family moved to Vauxhall, settling in the New West district. She attended school at the New West Country School and continued through to the Vauxhall High School.

 Esther married Gordon Johnson on October 19,1947. Together they farmed in the district for thirty three years raising three sons, Clarence, Arnold and Leslie. As she raised her family, she worked hard on the farm but also drove School Bus and worked the beet harvest yearly. In 1980 they semi-retired to an acreage south of Vauxhall. In 1984 they moved into their new home in Vauxhall which Esther designed and was her dream. This was also the year Esther began her long battle with cancer. She faced this challenge with faith and attitude. Her trust in the Lord, and many prayers of family and friends, helped her to win that first fight.

 Family and friends were very important to Esther. Many winter evenings Gordon and Esther spent playing cards or socializing with friends. Summers were spent camping, many times taking grandkids along for the fun.

 Esther was very active in her community, donating time wherever she was needed. Her free time was spent doing ceramics, counted cross stitch, Japanese Bunga, quilting, crocheting or sitting reading her Bible. She also was active in shuffleboard, floor curling and for years they bowled in the senior league in Taber. One highlight was the year her bowling team won the local, district and provincial championship and went on to the finals in Welland, Ontario where they brought home the bronze medal. She also loved her politics and loved a good discussion (or argument) with her Liberal friends.

 If friends so desire, memorial tributes in Esther’s name may be made directly to a charity of one’s choice.