RosaLea Johnson, 87, of Clarkston, passed away Monday, May 6, 2019, at her home.
She was born Nov. 17, 1931, to Pearl and Leona (Williams) Anderson at Rosalia, Wash. The family lived at Sunset, Wash., where she attended eight years of grade school. RosaLea attended high school at St. John, where she graduated in 1949.
In 1952, she married Edward Johnson at Lewiston. They would have celebrated 67 years of married life on June 14. Over the years, RosaLea had a passion and love for many things. Camping with the family and fishing for steelhead and kokanee was something that she looked forward to each year. For several years, RosaLea and Ed had fishing licenses in four states. Over the years, fishing for steelhead, the pair caught more than 175 fish, the largest fish weighing more than 22 pounds was caught by RosaLea on the Snake River below Asotin.
She also had a knack for baking. She won many awards and ribbons at both the Nez Perce County and Asotin County fairs. Most of all was her love for the Lord and her family. She was born and raised in a Christian home, and she believed to the end that God had a plan for each of us, and no matter what his plan for her was, she would accept it.
RosaLea has been supportive of her family and loved ones during her entire life. After Ed retired, they maintained a second home in Quartzsite, Ariz., for 23 years. Every fall, she could hardly wait to go South where they had many friends. RosaLea will be missed beyond words. It’s hard to imagine what we’re going to do without her.
She was preceded in death by her father and mother; brothers John and George; son Terry and daughter Gayle. She is survived by her husband, Edward; sons Boyd (Carol) and Paul; daughter Kathy Waldher; sister Eleanor (Tom) Ellis; son-in-law Dan Stilson; eight grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren, with one on the way.
The family would like to thank the wonderful team from hospice who took such good care of RosaLea in her final days.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at Mountain View Funeral Home, Seventh Street and Cedar Avenue, Lewiston. In lieu of flowers, family suggests that donations be made to Salvation Army or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
