Obituary of Barbara Louise Johnson Birth: Death: Service Information: Please leave memories of Barbara or condolences for her family in the Guestbook below.

Born in Olympia, Washington on May 8, 1934, to Orville Eugene and Louise Ranghild Thompson, mom left us on Saturday, August 23, 2014 to join our dad, Ken, whose departure in January of this year still leaves a fresh scar on our hearts. As with dad, mom was surrounded by loving family in the home they shared for almost 50 years. Barb graduated from Olympia High School in 1952 and immediately enrolled in motherhood. As a mom, she was very active in our elementary school years, serving as a PTA Board Member and President at Madison Elementary School. She was involved in our scouting activities and kept score for Little League and Fast Pitch for many years. When the Barbie and Ken dolls were first introduced to the public, we were sure they were modeled after our mom and dad. Mom spent hours making more than 90 Barbie outfits for our dolls, as well as for our friends, Robin and Kristie Everson. Mom was very artistic. She had a beautiful singing voice, a talent for drawing, and a love for water colors. She was an excellent cook and baker and she and dad both loved to entertain. Every year for 30 years or more, they would host a Christmas Open House for friends and family. Dad would start decorating the house in November; mom would prepare a spread that could fill three rooms. Mom was a stay-at-home mom until all of us were in school, then went to work for the Department of Labor & Industries, moving to the Department of Licensing until she retired. Mom loved to travel, especially to Branson, Missouri, and Laughlin, Nevada. She also enjoyed word find puzzles, HGTV, Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy, and her favorite, The Price Is Right. She always showed great love and generosity for her family and her friends and “refused to do negative.” Precious memories of mom include the time she sat with Debbie through the birth of her first grandchild; calling Beth at 1 o’clock in the morning on the way home from the casino because she and dad had locked themselves out of their house; sharing Mother’s weekend at WSU with Jeff when a “streaker” ran by and mom commented on how he (the streaker) “didn’t look so good;” getting Laurie’s attention when she needed something by singing her melodious “woohoo” or telling any one of us to “dumb up.” Mom is survived by four children: daughter, Debbie (Gene) of Tumwater, daughter, Beth (Bob) of Tenino, son, Jeff (Cheri) of Tumwater, daughter, Laurie (Dennis) of Lacey; grandchildren, Michael, Christopher, Hayley, Michael, Lisa, Nikki (Mike), and Andy (Lisa); great grandchildren, David, Ashley, Brian, Christina, Francis, April, Angel, Trista, Grayson, Kaylin, Tyler, Riley, Bailey, Mikaylah, and Jonothan; and great-great grandchildren, Chevice, Cheyenne, Caylin, and Nicole. She is also survived by sister and brother-in-law, Connie and Doug Otjen; special aunts, Evelyn Fuller and Doris Tennyson; nieces, nephews, cousins, and many dear friends. She was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Ken; her parents; and a grandson, Brian. At mom’s request, there will be no service. In celebration of her life, please consider donating to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, OR to Providence SoundHome Care & Hospice. Please leave memories of Barbara or condolences for her family in the Guestbook below.