Deanna Johnson, a long-time resident of Crete, died peacefully at Lakeview Assisted Living in Firth with family on March 17, 2022. at the age of 80.
Deanna Sue Johnson, the daughter of Jimmie and Geraldine (McClure) McPherson, was born May 24, 1941, in Columbus, Kansas. Those who knew Deanna knew she preferred to go by the name Dee or Dee Dee (as her grandkids called her). She attended elementary school through junior high school in Columbus. Her father relocated the family to Lindsborg, Kansas, due to his job. In 1959, she graduated high school in Lindsborg. Dee’s fondest memory from high school was playing the snare drums with her high school band in the inauguration parade in Washington, D.C., for President Eisenhower. After graduating high school, Dee attended Brown Mackie College in Salina, Kansas, and received a certificate in business.
Lindsborg was where she met Jerry and soon after they united in marriage on July 14, 1962. The young couple moved several places close to McPherson, Kansas, and Lindsborg until they found their forever home in Crete the summer of 1966 on East 13th Street. Everyone in town knew the Johnson’s big brick and wooden home which went through many transformations and was beautifully decorated every holiday by Jerry but always supervised by Dee. Jerry was the second oldest of 10 children, so when Dee married, she not only got a husband but nine new brothers and sisters, Audrey, Sally, Charley, Sharyl, Daryl, Carolyn, Debi, Lynn and Steve. Over the years, mom embraced the boisterous bunch and enjoyed spending vacation time with Jerry’s family, usually at Charley and Linda’s farm or Loren and Gayle Boughfman’s swimming pool. She cherished her family, especially her friendship with Gayle and Linda. Together they were a force to be reckoned with and anyone who spent time with these three together aspired to have the love they had for one another. She often reminded her children you’ll never meet a harder working family, which to this day holds true.
Dee retired in 2006 from Doane College Bookstore as the manager, where she and a great team ran the bookstore. Dee made many friends while working at Doane College. She enjoyed these long-lasting friendships with staff and students alike. Dee even attended the retired Doane College lady's coffee group until last year. Before Doane, Dee’s home was bustling with many little faces while she ran an in-home daycare. Many lifelong friends were made from families cared for in her home. Prior to running a day care, she held administrative positions at Wanek’s Furniture Store and the Ahlschwede auto dealership. Dee loved bowling and Jaycees in her young adult life. Again, more lifelong friends were made at these events. Dee’s love of bowling was then carried on by her girls who all enjoyed bowling at the Crete Lanes during their adolescence. Once Dee’s children were of school age, if she wasn’t working, she was attending her children’s school activities. She and Jerry never missed an event no matter what. You could always count on Dee and Jerry to attend their children’s and later grandchildren’s events such as the first band concert, baton twirling, softball, volleyball, graduations… the list goes on and on. Dee was so proud of her girls and wanted nothing but the best for them. Dee could be hard as nails. On the flip side she was ALWAYS a warm place to fall and lend a listening ear of support to her girls who knew they were loved unconditionally. Once Dee’s grandchildren arrived, it was no surprise her grandchildren were perfect in her eyes. Pictures of her grandchildren covered every wall in her office and home. She cherished every moment they shared together. The only thing maybe just maybe she loved more was an Elvis Presley song. In Dee’s later years, when Alzheimer’s disease robbed her of her strength and stamina, it also gave her a gentleness and loving nature the family treasured. Those who knew Dee well will always miss but remember her spunkiness that made her such a lively person to be around.
Deanna is survived by her husband of 59 years, Jerry; her daughter, Julie Moore (Rusty) of Excelsior Springs, Missouri; her daughter, Jena Reckling (Dan) of Hickman; her daughter, Jana Johnson of Ashland City, Tennessee; grandchildren, Jessica Moore (Will) of Gladstone, Missouri, Tanner Reckling of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Joshua Reckling of Hickman, and Levi Moore of Excelsior Springs; her sister, Alleta Rigler (Terry) of Erwin, Tennessee; and many cherished cousins, nieces and nephews.
Dee’s final resting place will be at the New Gottland Lutheran Church Cemetery in rural McPherson. A Celebration of Life will be May 7 at 2 p.m. at Kuncl Funeral Home in Crete. In remembrance of Dee’s life, the family asks that any memorials be made to Lakeview Assisted Living in Firth. Condolences may be left for the family online at www.kunclfh.com.
