Eileen P. Johnson

February 21, 1928 - November 2, 2026

My sweet mother-in-law passed peacefully from this life yesterday surrounded by her family. She would have been 99 in February.

I’ve always said Ron was the bonus in the deal when I married him. John and Eileen were the kindest, loving, most non-judgmental people I’ve ever met. When I grow up, I want to be like Eileen. She served in quiet ways and never sought to be in the limelight. Everyone she met became an instant admirer and friend. Eileen brought LIGHT into every room she entered.

Growing up during the war years she learned to live by the old adage – “Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without.” You could often find a stack of washed, folded, and re-used tin foil, torn pieces of paper to re-use as note pads, and washed and dried plastic bread baggies in her kitchen drawers. But Eileen never felt like she did without. Her childhood memories were happy ones filled with family and lifelong friendships.

She was a senior at Morgan High School when a dashing young man returned from the war and caught her eye.

John and Eileen had their first date on Valentine’s Day, 1946. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple on October 25, 1946.

Together, John and Eileen raised five boys. Their posterity today numbers 130!

Eileen enjoyed riding her little red lawn mower as she cared for her lawn into her 90’s. We had to put our foot down when it came to window washing and the snowblower, but that didn’t come without a fight! I’ll never forget the day just a few years ago when I went to pick her up to take her to a doctor’s appointment. I pulled into her driveway and saw her up on a ladder washing her exterior windows! I quietly got out of the car and got behind her. When she finished and got safely back to the ground I said, “Eileen Johnson! What in the world are you doing up on a ladder!” She jumped and then laughed and said, “Oh! You’re early! I thought I could hurry and do this before you got here.” That was Eileen!

She was independent and enjoyed life. She loved to sit on the back patio and watch her zinnias grow. Ron and I have planted zinnias in our front planter for many years now in her honor. I look forward to next summer and hope to feel her smiling down upon our efforts.

John was the love of her life, and their time together on earth didn’t last long enough. He passed suddenly 33 years ago. Before we left the church after his funeral, Eileen gathered us all around in a circle with a message she wanted to share. She expressed gratitude for the years they had together, through the good times and times of struggle. She wanted us not to be sad. She encouraged us to keep moving forward in life with a positive, happy attitude, focusing on serving others. And that’s exactly what she did. Eileen was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

She served faithfully in a Primary Presidency, as a Relief Society President, Stake Relief Society President, ward organist for 35 years, Primary pianist, and served a Special Stake Mission with John. Eileen was prayerful and obedient to the admonition of her church leaders. In her 98 plus years she accumulated a library of journals and over twenty scrapbooks. Eileen loved the temple and for several years she and her friends would drive to Ogden every week to attend the temple and go to lunch after. Her last selfless act of kindness was in the service of a friend just last week.

Eileen loved a good BYU football game and enjoyed BYU basketball games as well. Family was everything to her.

The best part of her life was spent loving and supporting her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren camping, playing cards, watching Hallmark movies, and attending every game, performance, program, graduation, or other important event. Eileen attended everything she possibly could.

One of my favorite things was going to stay with her while Ron was out of town for work. Those memories will be with me forever! Taking her to doctor appointments, then to Sam’s Club to get more Velvetta for her macaroni casserole and broccoli spaghetti noodle soup, the Hallmark movies – always wondering if everything would work out ok in the end, the five years of scrapbooking over twenty-3” three-ring binders of her life, the crafting and Great-Grandma Camps with Steph and her girls, eating lemon meringue, apple and mince-meat pie, and the long talks we had about life. She was the mother to me that my own was never able to be. God knew I needed her, and what a blessing she was in my life.

The last four years have been difficult for Eileen as her body began to give out. In 2024 she suffered a broken back and spent the last two years at The Family Tree Care Center in Morgan. She learned to love and appreciate the caregivers and residents never complaining about her own trials and struggles. Eileen was always more concerned about those who were dealing with their own health problems. She knew the names of her caregivers and loved each of them.

Stalwart to the end, this elect lady entered into the loving arms of her “Sweet John” on November 2, 2026. She is the definition of enduring to the end, and enduring with a positive attitude of service and LIGHT. She blessed the lives of so many, but I will be forever grateful that mine was included in that!

Rest in peace dear Eileen in Heaven with John and Jesus! I have no doubt there are zinnias already blooming in the planter just off your heavenly patio. Thank you for your love, example, and kindness.

My wish for you this week is to go out and serve someone. Eileen served in simple ways, the same way she lived her life. She would call friends and family, she would write notes and letters, and she would bake and deliver delicious food to anyone struggling. I hope you are all blessed to have an Eileen in your life, and if you don’t have one, be one! Because Eileen was LIGHT!

Love Ya, Les 😊