Carolyn L Johnson

Funeral services for Carolyn L. Johnson will be held on Saturday, March 8, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege, Nebraska with Pastor Murray Jones officiating. Interment will be held at the Yuma Cemetery at Yuma, Colorado, following their local services on Monday, March 10, 2014.

Carolyn Louise "Hank" Johnson, 67 years of age, of Holdrege, Nebraska passed away unexpectedly on Monday, March 3, 2014 at her home in Holdrege. Carolyn was born on May 9, 1946 in Akron, Colorado, the second of three children born to William and Elsie (Trautman) Schmidke. She received her education at Akron graduating from Akron High School with the class of 1965.

She enjoyed farm life activities such as being in 4-H, raising and showing cattle and hogs as her project. She loved to draw and was also an accomplished artist with oil painting.

After high school she attended and graduated from Northeastern Junior College in Sterling, Colorado, graduating with a Business degree. She was employed as the office manager for the Norka Hotel and Restaurant in Akron, Colorado. On a whim, she and a hometown girlfriend, Linda Sundling, took off for Holdrege, Nebraska to investigate jobs they had heard about at the Becton-Dickenson company. The plan was to get temporary jobs. Hers lasted over 40 years, working various positions from assembly line to management. There she became known as "Hank" and also "Sparky" when she accidentally dialed too many "eights" on her phone, setting off the fire alarms and emptying the plant. During her time at BD, she met many dear friends who supported her over the years both in the good and the bad times. She met and married Virgil Keith Johnson who also worked at the plant. Keith was the love of her life, although their married time together was brief when Keith unexpectedly passed away in 1980.

Carol enjoyed trips to Colorado to visit family, going to Georgetown in the mountains, and shopping for some new purses and jewelry. She did love that bling! One time she blinded Linda from the passenger seat while Linda was driving, with the reflection off her sequined shirt.

Our family is indebted to Warren Isaacson, her friend, for the great care and kindness he has shown her over the years.

Carolyn was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Keith.

She leaves to mourn her passing; one brother, William "Bill" Schmidke and his wife, Marcia of Eaton, Colorado; one sister, Linda Schmidke of Aurora, Colorado; nephews: Michael Schmidke and his wife, Sherri of Greeley, Colorado, Jay Schmidke and his wife, Kimberly of Westminster, Colorado; three great-nephews: Dillyn, Dayne, and Braiden Schmidke; one great-niece, Ashton Schmidke; many friends and other relatives.

Visitation will be held on Friday, March 7, 2014 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with the family greeting from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege.

A memorial has been established in Carolyn's honor and it is kindly suggested to the North Park Animal Shelter in Holdrege. Carolyn was especially fond of cats.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home of Holdrege, Nebraska is in charge of the arrangements.