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IN LOVING MEMORY OF

Verda Kay

Verda Kay Johnson Profile Photo

Johnson

October 13, 1951 – January 24, 2017

Obituary

Verda Kay Johnson was born October 13, 1951 in Ransom, KS, to Katie (Sander) and Eddie Herman.   She grew up in Utica graduating from Utica High School in 1969.  She attended NWKAVTS, Goodland, graduating in 1971 with a degree in secretarial management.

She was united in marriage to Jon Andrew Johnson on July 10th, 1971 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Scott City.  Jon and Verda, "Alice" as Jon lovingly called her, started their life together in Collyer, then moved to Ness City.  Verda worked for C. Russell Shelenberger ("For your insurance needs" she would always recall his slogan when talking about her former job to her children) until in 1974 they bought Whitney Motors on Main St. in Utica, starting their own business and naming it "Johnson Motors".  After the birth of their first child in 1974 Verda quit her job to be a stay at home mom and keep books for their mechanic shop.

Verda was a life long member of St. Aloysius Catholic Church, where she received all of her sacraments.  She was very active in her church, an avid member of the Altar Society, helped with scheduling at the church and was a lector, eucharistic minister and found great joy in sharing Jesus in the Eucharist with the sick and homebound.  She was the Clerk for the City of Utica, the Ohio Township Clerk, an active member of the U.T.I.C.A May Days committee, and she and Jon took great pride as caretakers of the Utica Cemetery.  Verda was a devoted farmwife and loved spending time working along side Jon in the harvest field.  She always made sure Jon had a fresh hot cheeseburger brought to the field, which he looked forward to each time.  Verda cared very much about her health, exercised everyday and did her best to eat healthy and she always made sure she was visually presentable know matter what she was doing.  She loved being a mom and especially loved being a Nana.  She loved to bake, crochet, craft, garden, and spent countless hours sewing clothes for her children as they were growing.  She loved to travel with Jon and looked forward to the biyearly Nascar races in Kansas City and their annual trip to the Chili Bowl where they made so many memories with great friends.  Verda spent many, many hours and miles traveling with Jon allover the U.S. enjoying his racing career, along the way she made many wonderful friends and lots of memories.  She didn't know a stranger and could strike up a conversation with anyone.

Verda was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer on Sept, 26th 2016.  This began a roller coaster of events that started with an infection brought on by her very first procedure, an endoscopy.  Conventional medicine gave her a terminal diagnosis of only 3 months.  She was vibrant and healthy and refused to accept this death sentence.  She chose to do alternative treatments through Hope4Cancer in Tijuana, Mexico.  Little did she know that her fate had already been sealed with her very first procedure.  Verda had over 6 surgeries in 4 months and many different infections.  Although the alternative treatments were killing the cancer, the secondary problems were more than her body could take.  Being extremely weak and disoriented she entered the hospital on January 18.  After fighting so hard to overcome the latest infection, her body couldn't take it anymore.  Verda departed her earthly life Tuesday, January 24th, 2017 at 6:00 pm, at the Ness County Hospital, Ness City at age 65.

Verda is survived by her loving and devoted husband of 45 years, three daughters; Robin Slagle of Salina, Wendy Duskie (Jeremy) of Kansas City, Jodi Gillespie (Lafe) of Quinter, one son; C.J. (Kayla) of Quinter.  Fourteen grandchildren; Dakotah, Tristan and Teghan Slagle, Hannah and Jaxson Duskie, Tucker T, Riley Jon, Eli, Isaac, Emma Jean and Micah Gillespie, Kyler, Kahne and Kendyl Johnson, two brothers; Gary (Deanne) of Leavenworth, Eddie (Carolyn) Hays, one sister; Vera Soderberg of Dodge City and many loving and wonderful friends and relatives.  She will be dearly missed and her vivacious personality will live on in our memories forever.

She is preceded in death by her parents and her in laws, James F. and Ina Jean Johnson.

Viewing will be held Friday, January 27 9:00-3:00 Fitzgerald Funeral Home, Ness City.  Vigil starting with a Rosary at 6:30, Friday St. Aloysius Catholic Church, Ransom.  Rite of Christian Burial Mass Saturday, January 28 at 10:00, St. Aloysius.  Final Internment, Utica Cemetery with dinner immediately following burial at Wertz Street Social Emporium.

Memorials can be made to Verda Johnson Benefit Fund in care of Fitzgerald Funeral Home.

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Funeral Services

Rosary followed by Parish Vigil

January
27

St. Aloysius Catholic Church

107 North Vermont Avenue, Ransom, KS 67572

Starts at 6:30 pm

Funeral Service

January
28

St. Aloysius Catholic Church

107 North Vermont Avenue, Ransom, KS 67572

Starts at 10:00 am

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