Donna Johnson Obituary

Donna Jean Howell Johnson

Donna was born in Basalt, ID on November 12, 1927, to Louis Preston and Thelma Virginia Howell. She married her sweetheart, Donald Harvey Johnson, on May 9, 1948, in Ely, Nevada. They were later sealed as a family in the Salt Lake Temple on May 8, 1976. Donna stepped through the veil peacefully, surrounded by family on July 17, 2025, in Salt Lake City, UT at the age of 97.

She reunited on the other side of the veil with her husband, Don, two daughters, Nadine Gaye Johnson and Alaina Marie Byrd; brothers: Bob (Marva), Ted (Margie), Jerry (Caroline); and half siblings, Dean and Afton.

She is survived by her four sons, Donald Terry (Magali), Garn L (Cheryl), Tracy Gene (Yvonne) and Kirk Elias (Rebecca) Johnson; and one brother, Boyd (Loretta) Howell.

Donna grew up in small-town Idaho, the oldest and only daughter with four brothers. She learned many life lessons while living in a depression era home without indoor plumbing or heating. She loved to go horse riding with her best friend in Pocatello and helped take care of her four younger brothers. She attended school in Shelley, ID and graduated from high school in May, 1945.

Donna was a homemaker, master gardener, mama and grandma most of her life. For two years, she helped pay for her oldest son's mission by working at the A & W Restaurant and doing data-entry for Granite School District. She loved to travel and enjoyed many beautiful and historic locations around the country.

Donna was a self taught pianist and was delighted to serve as the primary pianist in her Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints ward. She also served in the Relief Society presidency and with her husband as stake baptism coordinators.

She was a beloved daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandma, great-grandma, and great-great-grandma. She loved to laugh and visit with all of her family and friends, and she will be greatly missed by all.

A viewing will be held on Friday, July 25, 2025, from 1:00PM to 2:30PM at Jenkins Soffe 4760 S. State, Murray, UT. Internment will immediately follow at Redwood Memorial Estates at 6500 S. Redwood Road, West Jordan, UT.