JOHNSON, Geraldyne Marie (nee Ellis)
April 24, 1932 – Wetaskiwin, Alberta
January 18, 2021 – Calgary, Alberta
We are saddened to announce the passing of Geraldyne “Gerry” Marie Johnson (nee Ellis) after a long illness with COVID complications on Monday, January 18, 2021 at the age of 88 years.
Gerry was born to Arnold and Hazel Ellis, April 24, 1932 in Wetaskiwin, Alberta. Gerry and Alvin were married May 26, 1952. Being Alvin was the oldest of nine children, I’m sure was a life changer for Gerry, being an only child. The wife of an oilfield husband, Gerry was left to raise the children mostly on her own. Together Alvin and Gerry raised two sons Douglas and Larry and two daughters Lianne and Joan.
Making a few moves during their early marriage they put down roots in Calgary, Alberta in 1962. In 1973, the family packed up their belongings and moved to Edson, Alberta where Alvin joined his brother Paul Johnson and brother-in-law (Don Herbert) in a construction company, Johnson & Herbert Construction in 1970. Gerry loved to curl and was active in the curling club in Edson. Gerry will forever be known as the clubs “Minnie Pearl” a role which she played to a tee. Al and Gerry were very avid golfers and traveled extensively to play the game. They loved their house in the Shuswap and their winter getaways in Palm Springs, CA then Yuma, AZ, where they could golf year round and made dozens of lifetime friends.
They have come full circle and made the Cochrane area home again overlooking the Glen Eagles golf course.
Left to mourn her passing is her loving husband of 68 years Alvin Brandt Johnson. Their children Doug (Heather) Johnson, Larry (Audrey) Johnson, Lianne (Erik) Wyles, Joan (Rick) Saunders; twelve grandchildren Carl (Kaitlin) Johnson, Dean (Maddie) Johnson, Matt (Lee) Johnson, Jason (Terran) Johnson, Jenna (Logan) Pillage, Jesse and Colton Lockridge, Sheila (Mike) Laverick, Bryan Wyles, Krista (Kris) James, Kyle Saunders, Brett (Sarah) Saunders; twenty-one great-grandchildren; her brother and sisters-in-law, Paul (Bonny) Johnson, Donald (Terry) Johnson, Gordon (Anna Mae) Johnson, Donald Whillier, Elaine (Dennis) Stanley, and Margaret Johnson; numerous nieces and nephews; and a lot of very good friends.
Gerry is predeceased by her father Arnold and mother Hazel Ellis, father in-law Rev. C Alvin and mother in-law Elsie Johnson.
The family would like to share a special thank you to mom and dad’s caregivers Laura and Kim. You went above and beyond, caring for their medical, mental and physical needs. We are forever grateful!! Also we’d like to thank the doctors and nurses at the Rockyview Hospital unit 93 that provided great care for Gerry.
Gerry will be cremated and the family are hoping to have a memorial to take place in Wetaskiwin, AB at a later date. Internment will be in the family plot at the Nashville Cemetery a short distance from the family farm outside of Wetaskiwin, Alberta. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on Gerry’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Terry Fox Foundation, 16A, 6120 – 2nd Street S.E., Calgary, AB T2H 2L8 Telephone: (403) 212-1336, terryfox.org/donate.
In living memory of Gerry Johnson, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Cochrane, 369 RAILWAY STREET, COCHRANE, AB T4C 2E2, Telephone: 403-932-4740.
