Evelyn Johnson

EVELYN S. JOHNSON IDAHO FALLS, ID -- Evelyn Estella Shaw Johnson, of Idaho Falls, passed away Monday, January 15, 2007, of a lingering illness. She was 71. Evelyn was born March 2, 1935, in Hutchinson, Kansas, to Harold C. and Estella Hall Shaw. She moved with her family to Orem, Utah, in 1943, where her father started employment as an electrician building the Geneva Steel Plant. In 1946, wanting to get back to his farming roots, Evelyn’s father moved his family to a farm ten miles out of Roosevelt, Utah. Evelyn grew up on this farm and attended schools in Roosevelt where she graduated from Union High School in 1953. She and her brothers and sister walked a mile to catch the school bus and in winter this was often a cold and snowy walk. Evelyn spent her growing up years roaming the thousands of acres of open country next to their farm. It was full of hills, ravines, and rocky outcroppings covered with sagebrush and cedars. She often rode her old horse “Willie.” Over the years, she assembled a large collection of arrowheads and other interesting items. In 1956, while attending Brigham Young University, she met the love of her life, Grant Johnson. He moved straight to the head of the line of a number of suitors. They became engaged in March of that year. Grant finished his graduation requirements in March so they went to the Los Angeles area to work for two months, where they enjoyed visiting the many interesting places in that area.. They returned to Utah where Grant graduated from BYU in early June and they were married on June 6, 1956, in the Salt Lake Temple. They lived in Idaho Falls for three years where Grant worked at the INEL. In 1959, they moved to Tremonton, Utah, where Grant worked at Thiokol Chemical Corporation for six years. In 1965, they returned to Idaho Falls where Grant worked principally at the INEL site until his retirement. They had a home built for them in 1965 on Snarr Road and have lived there ever since. Evelyn was a wonderful homemaker and mother all of her married life. She was beautiful, strong and determined to make the best out of life, and always provided wisdom and insight to those who needed it. Evelyn had a great love for the outdoors; loved flowers and birds and was the ‘project manager’ for many ventures that turned their back yard into a beautiful haven. Evelyn was an avid photographer, recording every family event with her camera. She left her family an amazing history recorded in pictures. She was an accomplished seamstress and always had many projects in the works. She wanted everyone to be warm and made many quilts, blankets, hats, slippers and scarves over the years. Her family sees and feels her love everywhere. They have six children: Angela (Mike) Roach and Kathy Johnson of Idaho Falls, Ken (Deanne) Johnson of Heber City, Utah, Gary Johnson of Phoenix, Arizona, Ron (Cora) Johnson of Ringgold, Georgia, and Janette (Jason) Halter of Vernal, Utah. Survivors include her husband Grant, six children, 17 grandchildren, one great grandchild, a brother A.D. (Ina) Shaw and sister Sharon (Cliff) Hackford, both of Roosevelt, Utah. She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Jim (Hope) Shaw. Funeral Services will be at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, January 20, 2007, at the Osgood LDS Ward, 7940 North 35th West, Idaho Falls. The family will visit with friends from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Friday, at Wood Funeral Home on North Ridge Avenue and from 12 Noon to 1:00 p.m. before services on Saturday at the church. Burial will be in the Fielding Memorial Park Cemetery in Idaho Falls. --------------------------------------------- Condolences sent online: Bryce and Peggy Johnson brycenuc@comcast.net Dear Grant and family: Please accept our deepest sympathy at this time. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Bryce and Peggy Adeana Stosich adeana@stosich.com Dear Grant & Family, We are so sorry that we are not able to attend the services for Evelyn today. She was a special lady to all of the family and we are sorry for her loss. Please know that we are thinking about you today. Love, Dean & Ceola Marshall Davidjohn & Adeana Stosich Gary & Ramona Marshall Shirley Killam My heartfelt sympathy and blessings to Kathy and the entire Johnson family. Shirley Killam and Family Annie Jane Baird (No message.)