Lois Elizabeth (Sturtevant) Johnson

Lois E. (Sturtevant) Johnson of Salina died on July 4, 2021 after 96 years of grit, grace and good times.  Lois was a true Kansan.  She was born and raised in Cimarron, Kansas where her parents, Charles and Catherine Sturtevant, published the newspaper.  She was an accomplished musician and played saxophone in jazz and dance bands while attending Colorado University.  Lois graduated from Kansas State University with a degree in food science.  She married Byron (Johnson) and they raised cattle, wheat, and milo on a beautiful farm north of Salina, including during Byron’s service during World War II.

They also raised four children: Karen Khorasani (Fariborz), Martin Johnson (Mary), Nancy Swyers (Don) and Claire Dannenberg (Ken).  Byron and Lois instilled their children with their values, including the importance of working hard while enjoying life to its fullest.  Lois moved to Salina proper in her later years.  She loved Salina, the rest of Kansas, and Green Mountain Falls, CO.  Lois leaves behind many close friends.  She is preceded in death by her parents, her sister, Virginia, and husband, Byron.

Lois also leaves behind a rich and treasured legacy in the form of seven talented grandchildren: Emily Johnson, Lily Johnson, Adeline Johnson, Steven Swyers, Sarah Swyers, Maren Kingery (Nathan) and John Dannenberg.  In Lois’s eyes (and correctly so), her grandchildren can do no wrong.  Lois is also survived by her great grandson, Oliver Kingery.  Lois and Ollie share a mischievous streak and were best buddies.

A visitation with the family will be at Ryan Mortuary from 4 to 8 p.m. on Friday, July 9, 2021, with a trisagion service at 7:30 p.m.  A funeral service will be at All Saints Orthodox Christian Church beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 10, 2021.  Burial will take place at Crown Point Cemetery, Culver, followed immediately by a meal of mercy at the All Saints’ parish hall.

Memorials have been established at Harry Hynes Hospice, 313 South Market Street, Wichita, KS 67202 and Ashby House Ltd., 204 S. 8th Street, Salina, KS 67401.

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