Loretta Johnson

Loretta was born July 4, 1923 in Chesterfield, Idaho. She was the last and only surviving daughter of Etta Eldora Vuncannon Cornelison and Forest Lee Cornelison. Her brothers were delighted to have a sister and wanted to name her June but it was a little late for that. They didn’t know what they were in for, having to put up with a sister. She attended elementary school in Chesterfield through the 6th grade. At that time all the country schools were consolidated and she attended 7th and 8th grades and high school in Bancroft, Idaho going back and forth by bus. She was a good student and active in school and church. She acted in school plays, sang in the choir, and was Secretary of the student body in her senior year. She also graduated from Seminary. She liked writing poetry and one time wrote a poem for her brother Buford’s assignment. His teacher complimented him on it, and he said, “My sister wrote it”. After high school she went to work in her brother Hurdis’ grocery store. She also worked at the gun plant in Pocatello, Idaho and went to business school while she was there. She married Harrison Crowell, Jr. They were together only a few days when he was sent overseas. He was a gunner on a B24 and was shot down over Munich, Germany in May 1944. He did not survive. In 1945 she started dating one of her old boyfriends when he came home on leave. They were married August 16, 1945. It turned out to be a wonderful and adventuresome marriage as they traveled a lot and saw a lot of the world. This was especially exciting to Loretta who had never been much farther than Salt Lake City on a Seminary trip. David Johnson was a pilot in the Air Force and B24’s in World War II and T6’s in Korea. He had many close calls and almost lost his life in a helicopter crash in Tennessee in 1956. One time Loretta’s brothers were figuring it up and said she had spent nine months in the hospital caring for David. They were married for 68 years and are the parents of 4 children: David F (deceased), Myrtle Chidester (deceased), Gregory R, and Donald O; thirteen grandchildren: Carrie Olson, Damon Chidester, David W Johnson, Lucy Tobler, Angie Mangum, Darcie Mangum, Emily Knudson, Corby Johnson, Jacob R Johnson, Melissa Johnson, Casey Johnson, Josee Johnson, and Brandee Johnson. They have over 20 great grandchildren at this time. Loretta loves her family and friends of which she has many. She has had many callings, first with the Young Women, she was queen of the Green & Gold Ball; Relief Society President, counselor, and teacher; Primary counselor and teacher, and Sunday School teacher for many years. Her main hobby was making quilts. She made many for friends and family. She loved life and her family and friends, and always prayed that her family would be active in the gospel and stay close to their Heavenly Father. Services will be held on Monday, September 9, 2013 at 11:00 am at the Hunter 15th Ward, 5000 West 3725 South in West Valley City. A viewing will be held on Sunday, September 8, 2013 from 6-8 pm at the mortuary and I hour prior to services on Monday. Interment at Redwood Memorial Park.