Helen M Johnson
Obituary
On the evening of Monday, July 19, 2021, Helen M. Johnson of Burien, Washington moved to her eternal home peacefully at the age of 91.
Helen was born in 1929 to Carl and Maud Nordyke of Abington, Iowa. Their home was built from two boxcars where they used oil lamps for lighting, a hand water pump, a ringer washer, and a clothesline for laundry. They had an outhouse for a restroom, and a root cellar for storage and protection during storms. The fourth of twelve children, Helen grew up on their farm with a cow, pigs, and chickens. The girls worked around home assisting their mom with house chores; cooking, baking, gardening, canning, laundry, and helping with the other little ones. They never ran out of work! The three oldest girls shared everything, including a full-sized bed until Helen left home.
Helen, nicknamed Sweed for her blonde hair, started her education in a one-room schoolhouse and finished in 1949 from Packwood High School as Salutatorian of her class. A. Ralph Johnson, a dashing young Abington pastor, proposed to this thin demure beauty in a written letter and in 1951 they married in a small ceremony.
After Ralph finished Bible college, they moved across country in an old truck to start a ministry in Seattle, Washington. Upon arrival in 1954, they sold the truck to purchase a home in Burien where they began raising their four children, Barbara, David, Janet, and James. They began a church in their home with other friends that ventured out to join them.
In 1964, they purchased a larger home and a church building naming it the Riverton Church of Christ. The church continued to expand so in 1975, they purchased the Glen Acres Church of Christ where they lived in the back until the house next door was purchased as the parsonage. Soon thereafter they became empty nesters and continued their ministry together until Ralph passed away in 2012. Helen found inner independence, removed her veil, and found her voice! She continued to live in her home until her passing.
The ministry most important to Helen was to be a homemaker and raise their children. She loved to garden, can foods, make jellies and jams, cook and bake. Her real love was to quilt, sew, embroidery, and crochet. She spent her spare time on crafts, reading, and especially collecting many things. Her legacy goal was to give everyone in her immediate family tree a handmade quilt and/or comforter. She was cautiously adventurous, but really loved to travel! Her greatest joy however was to see her children, grand and great grandchildren growing up and experiencing things she never was able to.
Helen also served the church family in many ways by teaching children, entertaining overnight and live-in guests, church member meals, making weekly communion, managing the church books, praying, and supporting them in countless other ways.
Helen was an incredible godly woman who will be missed greatly on this side of eternity. Her Family:
HUSBAND: Preceded in death by A. Ralph Johnson.
CHILDREN AND SPOUSES: Survived by Barbara & Terry, David & Judy, Janet, and James & Kim.
GRANDCHILDREN AND SPOUSES: Survived by Jason & Becky, Sheila & Joey, Ruth-Ann, Andrew, Justin & Ashley, Aaron & Chelsea, and Lyndsay. Preceded in death by Peggy and Jeremiah.
GREAT GRANDCHILDREN AND SPOUSES: Survived by Logan, Chloe, George, Makaila & Dexter, Martina, Timothy, Faith, Taylor, Audrey, Lydia, Rosa, Hunter, and Piper.
BROTHERS AND SISTERS: Survived by Grace, Ronald, Delbert, and Mary. Preceded in death by, Robert, William, Madyline, David, Walter, Kenneth, and Richard.
In Celebration of a Virtuous Life, a service will be held 1:00 pm Saturday, August 14, 2021, at Glen Acres Church of Christ, a COVID conscious reception will follow. 11401 – 10th Avenue South, Burien WA 98168
If you cannot attend in person, there are two options:
- To watch the Service Live, scroll down past the photos, and click on the “LIVE STREAM ENABLED” button below at the time of the service.
- A recording of the service will be available for those who would like to watch at another time.
Please share this link with others who knew Helen using the Social Media buttons at the top and please share your memories or wishes in the guest book.
Thank you to everyone who loved and cared for Helen. The Johnson Family appreciates your love, prayers, and support!
Graveside Committal will be held for the Immediate Family only.
Click this link to view additional details about Helen’s Services, including any available live streams: https://my.gather.app/remember/helen-johnson-jul-2021
Helen was a great example of a servant of Christ. Thanks for letting us be a part of your life Helen! We will miss you, but are glad that you are with Jesus!
A wonderful Christian lady full of agape’ love, one who served quietly, a great example.
she was a awesome woman…had a special sense of humor that i truly liked….Her and my mom had many good times together….I first met Helen at the old church during vacation bible school when i was very young…memories that i will never forget
Helen you will be missed and thank you so much for being part of my journey here on this world. You have always been engraved in my mind as a woman of Christ. Thank you for your love and support you have always extended to my family. ❤️ Looking forward to seeing you again.
To Helen’s family:
We are thankful that we were able to watch the service online. A beautiful service for a beautiful Christian lady! Dean & Debbie Westerman, Spokane
Helen was my Sunday school teacher and then years later, we worked together at the church daycare.
We shared books with each other and she also gave me a teddy bear at Christmas to add to my collection . She will be missed but not forgotten.