Dorothy D Johnson

Memorial Services for Dorothy D. Johnson will be conducted from the First Baptist Church in Kearney, Nebraska on Monday, October 26, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. with Reverend Stan Murdoch, officiating. Private family inurnment will be held at the Kearney Cemetery prior to the memorial service.

Dorothy D. Johnson, 82 years of age, of Kearney, passed away on Thursday, October 22, 2009 at the Northridge Retirement Center in Kearney. She was born May 5, 1927, in Lincoln, Nebraska, the second of three daughters born to Conrad and Elizabeth (Mohr) Rosenthal. Dorothy received her education in Lincoln and Lexington. She grew up in Lincoln and throughout the years lived in Lexington, Nebraska, Orleans, Nebraska, Wiggins, CO, Holdrege, Nebraska and most recently Kearney. While in Lexington, she was employed by Stewarts Drug Store. While residing at Holdrege, Dorothy was employed at the Phelps Memorial Hospital and Becton-Dickinson until her retirement.

On November 21, 1944, she was united in marriage to Dale Gene Henke. To this union one daughter, Barbara Jean was born on September 26, 1948. In 1978, she was united in marriage to Jacob Bernhardt. The couple resided in Wiggins, CO until his passing in 1988, when Dorothy moved to Kearney.

In 1997, she was united in marriage to Alwyn Johnson. In September of 2006, they moved to the Northridge Retirement Community. During her retirement years, Dorothy enjoyed working in the office of First Baptist Church in Kearney and volunteered at the Good Samaritan Hospital.

She was a loving and devoted Mother and Grandmother. Dorothy and her sisters enjoyed music, crocheting, embroidery and dancing. Dorothy also enjoyed fishing and camping, polka and square dancing and especially loved Nebraska football. She loved to entertain the family and enjoyed gatherings, where homemade ice cream, watermelon, and many German dishes were eaten and she never lost her love of chocolate.

Survivors include her husband, Alwyn Johnson of Kearney; her daughter, Barbara Holbein and husband, Dean of San Clemente, CA; five grandchildren: Tamara Sue Bishop and her husband, Robert of Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, Julie Ann Smith of Frisco, TX, Brandi Jean Smith and her husband, Jason of Santa Ana, CA, Scott Holbein of Vacaville, CA and Lee Holbein of Mission Viejo, CA; four great-grandchildren: Spencer Bishop and his wife, Elyse of Mission Viejo, CA, Brandon Bishop of Palm Desert, CA, Forrest Smith of Tustin CA, and Jade Smith of Frisco, TX; two sisters: Esther Helen Wilhelm of Kearney and Betty Ann Rupert of Brighton, CO; She is also survived by Alwyn's children: Larry Johnson and his wife, Judy of Overton, NE, Eleanor Greenwall and her husband, Bob of Walnut, IA, Elaine Mensching and her husband, Stan of Mexico, MO and Glenna Derr and her husband, Dennis of Ashland, NE and their extended families and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; two husbands: Gene Henke and Jake Bernhardt and brothers-in-law: John Rupert and Andrew Wilhelm.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, October 25, 2009 at the First Baptist Church in Kearney from 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. with the family greeting friends from 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Following the memorial service, friends and family can gather at Northridge Retirement Center in the Ridge Room for light refreshments.

A memorial has been established in her memory and kindly suggested to the First Baptist Church-building fund.

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

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