Bernice Johnson Obituary

Bernice L. Johnson ("B") passed away on February 8, 2017. B was born to a working-class family in Moline, IL on September 25, 1922. She graduated as Valedictorian of her high school class and obtained her first job working for John Deere and Company. She was rapidly promoted to personal secretary for a ranking corporate officer.

In 1943, B enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps Women's Reserve. She served in the Quartermaster Corps at Camp Lejeune, NC and rose quickly to the rank of Sergeant. She met the love of her life while riding a bus which stopped to pick up Louis, also a Marine. B and Lou married in 1944 and settled in Colorado Springs.

B was always busy as a bee: caring for her family, Cub Scout/Bluebird Leader, entertaining, sewing, jogging, hiking, climbing Pike's Peak, and playing golf and bridge. She started a perfume business with her girlfriends and sold real estate for several years. B and Lou loved to travel, especially to Hawaii, and B was Lou's navigator whenever he piloted small planes.

From 1995 to 2010, B and Lou lived in Las Vegas, returning to Colorado Springs to live at the Palisades Independent Living Facility. B was preceded in death by her parents, Knute and Hilma Johnson; sister, Doris E. Lynch; brother, Valde K. Johnson; and husband Louis (2010).

B is survived by her son, Greg (Anne) Johnson and daughter, Ellen (Mike Woodward) Lipscomb; four grandchildren, Chad (Amanda Berrian) Lipscomb, Ryanne Lipscomb, Sam (Mongthuong Tran) Johnson and Emily Johnson); and three great grandsons (Tai and Luc Johnson and Blake Lipscomb).

In lieu of flowers, donations to Pikes Peak Hospice and Palliative Care would be appreciated. A Celebration will be held Sunday, March 5th at 3pm at the Palisades, 4547 Palisades Park View, 80906.