Rose Mary Johnson

Rose Mary Johnson

1949 ~ 2021

Rose Mary Nelson Johnson (Rosie), 71 of West Valley City, UT passed away surrounded by loved ones on April 12, 2021 at her home, after a valiant battle with pancreatic cancer.

Rose Mary was born on August 29, 1949 in Pocatello, ID to Patsy Ruth Mingo Nelson and Ralph Verland Nelson.  She was the third of ten children.  Terry, Stewart, Rose Mary, twins Bonnie and Ronnie, Patti, Joann, Craig, Vera and Jan.

Rose Mary attended and graduated from Highland High School in 1969, where she met the love of her life, Robert O. Johnson.  They married on November 7, 1969 in Pocatello, ID then they later solemnized their marriage in the Salt Lake Temple on July 1, 1990.  As newlyweds they ventured out on their own and moved to Arizona where their first trial of faith occurred shortly thereafter.  Rosie got German measles and soon found out that they were expecting their first child. Her doctor told her that her pregnancy was a high risk and their child would probably be born with many disabilities and if this was his wife’s pregnancy he would make her have an abortion.  Rosie visited with her home teachers and asked them for a priesthood blessing.  With that leap of faith she continued her pregnancy much to her doctor’s dismay.  Later, much to the same doctor’s surprise, she delivered a healthy baby girl and the first of four children.  It was after a year and a half of living in Arizona that they decided to move back to Idaho and then on to West Valley.  They have lived in and raised their family in West Valley for 45 years.  Through those years Rosie raised her family, learned and mastered the art of tole painting and wood working.  She sold many of her crafts at local craft fairs earning extra fun money.  She, with her sister’s attended a yearly sister trip where they tested their crafting abilities and sometimes their physical abilities, like the rope course in Park City or roller blading around the park.  Rosie loved to plan and surprise everyone with her annual Halloween costume. She loved sitting at her property in Lava Hot Springs around a fire, watching a sunset and visiting with family, sinking her toes in the sand while sitting on a beach or sun bathing on her blanket on a hot summer day.  At the young age of 60, Rose Mary found and fell in love with bicycle riding, when she rode her first 60 mile charity ride.  Up until May of 2020 she was still riding her bike.  During her eleven years of riding she rode many rides ranging from 3-75 miles.  While in the midst of her cancer journey, while in the middle of treatments in 2019 she “Rode for the Roses” in the Little Red Riding Hood event and completed a 32 mile ride.

Rose Mary dedicated 25 years of service to the Cyprus High Pirates as a lunch lady and she did not mind being called a ‘lunch lady’.

Rose Mary was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, where she served in many callings.  She really loved her years as the Young Women’s Camp Director.

Rose Mary will be deeply missed by her husband of 51 years, Robert O. Johnson.  Her children; Angela (Jeffery) Larson, Heidi (Steve) Durfey, Nancy (Robert) Allen and Jerry (Misty) Johnson and her eight grandchildren; Jason, Jesse, Alexa, Jaren, Stephanie, Wyatt, Baylee and Charlee.  No doubt she is now having a joyous reunion with her parents, siblings and many other family members.

There will be a viewing on Friday, April 16, 2021 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints located at 4251 South 4800 West, West Valley City Utah.

Funeral services with Zoom will be held on Saturday, April 17, 2021 at 11:00 a.m., with a short viewing prior to services from 10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints located at 4251 South 4800 West, in West Valley City Utah.

We want to say a big thank you to the Huntsman Cancer Institute, Dr. Weiss and the Huntsman Home Health Group who helped mom through her cancer journey.

In lieu of flowers the family prefers donations to be made in Rosie’s honor to https://give.huntsmancancer.org/page/23908/donate/1?locale=en-US with gift destinations to Gastrointestal Cancer > Pancreatic Cancer or Venmo directly @Angela-Larson-8

Zoom hyperlink: http://mywebcast.churchofjesuschrist.org/events/saltlakegrangersouthstake