Diane Eleanor Johnson, 83

Diane Eleanor Johnson, beloved wife, mother, teacher, grandmother and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully at home in Hayden Lake, Idaho, on Friday, Oct. 28, 2022. She was surrounded by family in her last moments and will be cherished always in their hearts.

Diane was born Nov. 14, 1938, in Pasadena, Calif., to Lucile and Glenn Howard; she and her older brother, Duane, whose untimely death in his 30s shook her deeply, grew up in Pasadena where she had a tight-knit group of girlhood companions who evolved into life-long friends. Shortly after her 19th birthday, she married Thomas Johnson on Nov. 24, 1957, and embarked on a life together that spanned 65 wonderful years. They raised three daughters, building a home in Topanga, Calif., in 1965 and then moving to Idaho in 1979. Diane was a busy stay-at-home mother for her daughters’ early years, then returned to college to finish her B.A. in English at California State University, Northridge, and earn her teaching certificate. She began teaching third and fourth grade at Sorenson Elementary immediately after the move to Idaho and later taught seventh grade English at Lakes Middle School; she was honored as Educator of the Month by the Cd'A School District in 1987 and nominated for Teacher of the Year in 1993. Diane and Tom retired in 1998, but continued their active life of helping others, as she volunteered for hospice and as a tutor for the adult literacy program through North Idaho College.

Diane and Tom were fortunate to travel to many places throughout the world, including China, Japan, New Zealand and Australia, as well as to England and Europe. They made multiple trips to Hawaii with family and friends, as well as back to California to stay close to those who were important to them there. Their family expanded as they added seven grandchildren and later 10 great-grandchildren to the brood, and they delighted in countless birthday and holiday gatherings surrounded by loved ones. Diane spent many hours in her fruit and flower garden at home and was famous for her delicious cherry pies; she also enjoyed playing card games and if she wasn’t beating you at canasta, she might be honing her own skills in solitaire.

Diane is survived by Tom Johnson, her devoted husband; her three daughters, Jodi Johnson, Lisa Williksen (Al), and Karen Johnson (Jim); grandchildren, Ryan Hartshorn (Heather), Cheryl Blackwood (Brian), Brittney Fairbanks (Chris), Gillian Larson, McKinley Dixon, Kylan Dixon and Morgan Dixon; and ten great grandchildren—Mason, Austin, Cohen, Camden, Baylor, Beau, Bree, Thomas, Bennett and Ty.

We will gather at the Hagadone Event Center for a celebration of life to honor Diane at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022. Please visit Diane’s online memorial and sign her guestbook at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.