Elva Johnson, “GG”, age 97, of Esterhazy priorly of Bangor passed away peacefully on Friday, February 21, 2020, at the Esterhazy Care Home.
Elva was born to Alda and Richard Jessop on April 14, 1922 on the family farm in Welwyn, Saskatchewan where she grew up with her siblings Verna, Anne, Mary, Bert and Mervin.
On March 11, 1941 Elva married the love of her life Samuel Johnson. Throughout their 55 years together they lived in Tantallon, Toronto, Winnipeg, Bangor and Esterhazy. They were blessed with four children, Allan, Shirley, Gary and Beverly. After Sam was discharged from the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1945 they bought the General store in Bangor, Hinchcliff & Johnson, where they made their home and set their roots.
Elva was very active in the community school board, ladies aid, church, curling and in a local acting group. Elva loved gardening, watching her Blue Jays, knitting, doing crosswords and playing cards but her real passion was her grandchildren. You could find her sliding down the hill with the grandchildren, playing ping pong, cards, or entertaining them by playing piano or violin.
Elva was predeceased by her husband Samuel, two sons Allan and Gary along with her parents and siblings. She is survived by her daughter-in-law Evelyn Johnson and family Carrie (Arlan) Hicks, Sam, Ben and Carlee; Scott (Crystal) Johnson, Kelsey, Hayley and Daija. Daughter Shirley (Robert) Herperger and family Tarra (Lewis) Rathgeber, Jesse and Santana; Trina (Mark) Windrim, Dakoda, Dylan and Wyatt; Tamara (Scott) McCann, Preston and Katelyn. Daughter Beverly (Bryan) Kaczur, Pam (Steve) Barratt, Carson and Rylie; Sherri Kaczur; and Tracy (Dylan) Van Brunt and Owen; as well as her sisters-in-law, Merle Johnson, Dorothea Johnson and Emily Neubauer.
Our lives go on without you
But nothing is the same
We have to hide our heartache
When someone speaks your name
Sad are the hearts that love you
Silent are the tears that fall
Living here without you
Is the hardest part of all
You did so many things for us
Your heart was kind and true
And when we needed someone
We could always count on you
The special years will not return
When we are all together
But with the love in our hearts
You will walk with us forever
There are so many things about mom we will miss. Long talks, oh those special hugs and kisses and her infectious laugh. We never left visiting without saying, “Love You”.
Although we are heartbroken, God saw you getting tired, gently took your hand, and led you home to the arms of Dad, Allan and Gary.
Mom was very faith-filled and no matter what hand life dealt, she accepted everything with grace and acceptance, always saying it was God’s Will and He would not give her more than she could handle. Her strength was amazing.
Mom made all her grandchildren and great-grandchildren feel special, and they all knew how much she loved her “tweedy bugs”.
It is hard to imagine life without her. Mom we are blowing kisses to you today. Tuck them in your pocket for a rainy day. We Love You!
“Death leaves a heartache no one can heal,
Love leaves a memory no one can steal.”
Love you Mom!