Adella (Helen) Johnson, 88
On Thursday, June 30, 2022, Helen Adella Johnson, beloved mother, grandmother and friend, passed away at her home at age 88.
Adella was born in midwest Wyoming to Enos and Helen Hayward on Nov. 4, 1933. They lived in Wyoming until 1937, when Enos and Helen decided to move west to Oregon. They made it as far as Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and knew this was the place they wanted to make their home.
They bought a cute little house in Dalton Gardens and Adella attended first and second grade at Dalton Elementary. After her father was hurt on the job working for the highway department, they moved to downtown Coeur d’Alene so they could be close to the hospital, and her mother started an in-home day care. Adella attended Central Elementary, Coeur d’Alene Jr. and Sr. High School. She graduated from Coeur d’Alene High School in 1951. This is where she met the love of her life, Gaylon Johnson. He was enlisted in the Army, and was deployed to the Korean War before Adella graduated. Adella continued her work for a local dentist, Dr. Frank O’Halloran, after graduating and enjoyed her work at the dentist's office for a few years. When Gaylon returned from the war, they were engaged and then married in March of 1953 in a beautiful ceremony surrounded by their friends and family.
Adella and Gaylon relocated for a short time, with Gaylon’s job, to Kalispell, Mont., Wenatchee, Wash., and Pecos, Texas. They then returned when Gaylon was offered a job back in Coeur d’Alene with GTE, later in 1953. They were so glad to be back to their hometown with their parents. Adella began working at the bank, where she worked for a few years. Adella and Gaylon became members of The Coeur d’Alene Jaycees as a young couple, and met many of their lifelong friends in that group, whom they have remained friends with for over 60 years. The young couple wanted nothing more than to be parents, and were finally blessed with first daughter Lori in January of 1960 and second daughter Donita in May of 1967. Adella loved being a homemaker, wife and mother. Her family was her greatest joy! She loved cooking, raising her girls and being involved in all of their activities. There wasn’t a recital, program, game or event that she missed. Even into their adult years they could always find her and dad in the stands cheering them on!
The young Johnson family enjoyed camping and traveling together in their blue pickup truck and camper. They took many trips all over, to local lakes and campgrounds, Canada and many trips to the Washington and Oregon coasts. After the girls became adults and moved out, Adella and Gaylon traded up to a Class A Motorhome and continued their travels to visit friends and family in Washington, Oregon, Wyoming, Montana and Minnesota and would see many sights along the way, with their golden retriever and sometimes Adella’s Mom along too! One of Adella’s favorite things in life, besides her family, were the friendships she and Gaylon made along the way. They loved playing cards, having friends over to visit, going to visit friends, they loved talking, laughing and sharing stories. Adella also had a very special group of friends — “The Birthday Group.” These friends have been getting together to celebrate each other’s birthdays with lunches, dinners and other activities, that included the husbands, for over 50 years! She cherished these friendships so much!
Adella spent many years looking after her mother and mother-in-law after her dad and Gaylon’s dad passed away. She took them to their hair appointments, grocery store and drove to all of their errands that needed to be run. You could find them shopping and enjoying a lunch out many of those days, too.
Adella was so excited when her daughters found happiness in their lives. With Donita and her marriage to Brian, she loved helping plan the wedding, and just adored her new son-in-law. They had a great relationship of teasing each other and giving each other funny gifts and cards. She was happy for Lori when she found her partner, Lene, and she loved Lene like another daughter. Adella was even more elated when grandsons Cody and Ryan were born. She was so proud of these two boys, and everything they did. She loved being a Grandma!
Unfortunately, Adella suffered many major health challenges in the last 20 years of her life. Many of them were nearly fatal. She was so incredibly tough, fought so hard through them and made the best of the limitations she was left with.
Her life, though simple in some people’s eyes, was full of love for her family and time spent with them, especially the holidays, which she loved and looked forward to so much! She loved watching her Zags, her Mariners and her favorite soap operas! Adella was the sweetest soul, who always worried about everyone else and what was going on in their lives. She cared so much for everyone! Her kindness and love will forever be in our hearts.
Adella was preceded in death by her infant brother, Harold, parents Enos and Helen Hayward, husband Gaylon (2018) and oldest daughter Lori (2021). She leaves behind daughter Donita and son-in-law Brian Graves, grandsons Cody Graves and Ryan Graves and her many dear friends.
The family would like to give a special thanks to FirstLight Home Care and their caregivers! Michelle (with whom she formed a special friendship over the last year), and Candy and Rachele, for their amazing care these last few months!
A visitation will be held Thursday, July 14, 2022, at 4 p.m. and a funeral service will be held Friday, July 15 at 11 a.m. with a reception to follow, both at English Funeral Chapel at 1133 N. Fourth St., Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814. Following the service and the reception the graveside service will take place at 2 p.m. at Riverview Cemetery, 1001 Lincoln Way, Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814.
Please visit Helen's online memorial at www.englishfuneralchapel.com
