LUTHERAN QUILTERS – Members of the Quilts for Comfort Group stand between pews draped with some of the 205 quilts they made, in the Sitka Lutheran Church Tuesday. The group made the quilts for five local non-profits and one in Anchorage. The remaining quilts are sent to Lutheran World Relief which distributes them to places around the world in need, such as Ukraine, as part of Personal Care Kits. Pictured are, from left, Helen Cunningham, Kathleen Brandt,Vicki Swanson, Paulla Hardy, Kim Hunter, Linda Swanson and Sue Fleming. (Sentinel Photo by James Poulson)
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Daily Sitka Sentinel
Ruth A. Johnson Dies In Arizona at Age 82
Ruth A. Johnson
Former Sitkan Ruth Adeline (Wahler) Johnson passed away in Sun City, Arizona, on September 5, 2019, from complications of Parkinson’s disease.
She had valiantly fought the disease which took many things away from her, including her voice and special laugh.
She was born June 15, 1937, on a farm in Barney Township, North Dakota, where she learned the importance of hard work and doing the job right. Ruth (Ruthie to her North Dakota family) was working as a waitress when she met her future husband, John Floyd Johnson, and started the adventure. After marrying on November 9, 1955, they made their first home in North Dakota, then on to Montana, Oregon, Idaho, and, lastly, following the call to Alaska. In 1966 they moved to Sitka, with their three young daughters, where Floyd took an electrician job at Alaska Lumber and Pulp Company.
Ruth was first a homemaker and mother and later decided to venture outside the home and work for the school district as a cook and administrative secretary, and then with the Sitka Visitors Bureau. She enjoyed all of the work and developed many close, lifelong friendships.
She was an active member of Sitka Lutheran Church, where she was designated by Pastor Jim Drury as the “minister of joy and laughter.” She volunteered countless hours at the church and White Elephant Shop. If she saw a need, she filled it - helping her family, friends, and neighbors.
Ruth loved her home in Sitka, but in her later years as the Parkinson’s disease began to take hold, she spent time in Sun City, Arizona, which provided better access to meet her medical needs.
She was preceded in death by her husband; parents, Herman and Helen Wahler; stepmother, Ella; and siblings Harold, Elroy, and Marlys, and other family members.
She leaves behind her brother-in-law, Lawrence Heley, of Ledgerwood, N.D.; sisters-in-law, Delphia Johnson of Flagstaff, Arizona, and Betty Johnson of Minnesota; daughters, Barbara (Patrick) Ebert of Bainbridge Island, Washington, Ellen (John) Dumond of Manhatten Beach, Calif,, and Gail (Ty) Rogers of Poulsbo, Washington; grandchildren Kelly (Jon) Snow, and Josh, Nate and Andy Becker; and great-grandchildren Aiden, Sam, and Chloe Snow.
In addition, she is survived by several nieces and nephews, related family, and close friends around the country.
She was a trusting and caring person who met life’s challenges head-on and always loved a good laugh. Ruth loved traveling, being with family, and visiting with friends over a home-cooked meal.
“Her vibrant, fun-loving, joyous, and generous nature will be missed by all who knew her,” her family wrote. “She remained a mischievous prankster in spirit - almost to the end. Her spirit has now been released from the body that was failing her and she will live on in our hearts and memories and be forever missed.”
A memorial service will be performed at the Sitka Lutheran Church in October on a date yet to be determined. Her ashes will be laid to rest at the Sitka National Cemetery with her husband of 43 years.
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20 YEARS AGO
March 2004
Advertisement: Tea-Licious Tea House & Bakery 315 Lincoln Street Grand Opening! Freshly Baked Scones, Cakes & Pastries Innovative Salads, Soups & Sandwiches Harney & Sons Tea. Lunch * Afternoon Tea * Supper.
50 YEARS AGO
March 1974
Photo caption: National Republican Chairman George Bush takes a drink of water offered by Jan Craddick, Sitka delegate, during the Republican convention held here. Mrs. Craddick explained to Bush that the water was from Indian River, which means, according to local legend, that he will return.