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Kimberly Diane Rohde, 57

In the early morning on May 5, 2017, angels came to escort our beloved Kimberly Diane Rohde to her place in Heaven and a star went out here on Earth.

Kimberly Diane Rohde (Johnson) was born in Boston, Mass., on Sept. 21, 1959, to Lorraine (Grimme) and Captain Aytch M. Johnson, USAF. They moved to Wisconsin, and then to California where the family settled in San Jose. Growing up with her older brother, Mark Johnson, Kimberly had many stories and interesting adventures.

A self-described tomboy with a love of cars and horses, she graduated from high school and junior college and then blazed a trail into a business segment dominated by “the old boys club.” When she questioned why the other salesmen made more than she did considering her sales were higher, she was politely told “if you don’t like it, start your own business”… and that is exactly what she did.

More than 30 years later, she would find herself on top of the business she created — First Source Inc. In 1997, she relocated the business to Post Falls, Idaho, and it stands today as an example of strength, determination, skill and the power of one determined saleswoman.

Those who knew her would agree that — If you were lucky enough to know Kimberly — you were lucky enough. With a great smile, beauty, energy and confidence, she could take over a room full of strangers, but always connected with people making them feel special. Kimberly loved to host events, cooking and entertaining. As an accomplished pianist, she would play at parties and many times, there would be dancing, laughing and piano playing late into the night.

Throughout her life, Kimberly had many loves. She was passionate about movies, the Green Bay Packers, horses, her ranch, her Labrador dogs, cooking, her German heritage, her Catholic faith, rodeo and her business. She was competitive and fun, possessing sparkle as well as substance. A voracious reader, Kimberly was worldly and interested in many things, people, and loved to travel and was loved by family and friends for her kindness.

Out of all Kimberly’s loves, the greatest two in her life were her sons, Kristian and Michael Hutchins. They brought her joy, pride, companionship and unending love. Both sons had moved to Idaho to be near their mom, which brought Kimberly much happiness. Kimberly was preceded in death by her mother, Lorraine; father Aytch Johnson; Frankie the chocolate lab; and leaves behind her sons, Kristian and Michael; her new beloved chocolate Labrador, Gracie; and those who so deeply loved her. Kimberly was a bright and shining star — gone too soon.

Let this be our prayer, when shadows fill our day. Lead us to a place, guide us with your grace. Give us faith so we’ll be safe.

You can honor Kimberly’s memory with a contribution to the Kootenai Humane Society.

A celebration of life will be held later this summer at the Wolf Meadows Ranch.

Visit Kimberly’s memorial and sign her online guest book at www.englishfuneralchapel.com.