Ruth Lehman Johnson

Just three days shy of her 102 birthday, our beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, friend, and aunt, Ruth Johnson, passed away on February 18, 2019. She was one of fourteen children born in Granger, Utah, to August and Martha Lehman. Ruth married Ernest Johnson on February 23, 1944, in Salt Lake City, Utah, later solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple.
She was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints throughout her life, serving in many capacities. She taught Primary for ten years and was Primary President of the Imperial, Cummings and Grandview Second wards. She was assistant work director in the Relief Society and a church magazine representative for many years. Ruth served as secretary in the Mutual Improvement Association for Young Women in the Granger ward, and was a visiting teacher for many years.
She worked at a variety of jobs throughout her life in the Salt Lake area, utilizing her secretarial and office skills prior to her marriage. She was employed at the University of Utah for fifteen years as a supervisor in food services, serving pre-game meals to both the football and basketball teams. She also catered in the homes of individuals associated with the university.
Ruth attended Monroe Elementary school and graduated from Granite High school. In her twelve years of schooling, she was absent only seven days. Ruth’s hobbies were: flower and vegetable gardening, photography (in a big way); cooking and baking (an excellent cook!); sewing clothes and making a variety of crafts; dancing at the Coconut Grove; listening to music on the radio; and viewing musical variety shows on TV. Her favorite TV shows were the “Lawrence Welk Show” and currently “Dancing with the Stars.”
Ruth is survived by her three daughters, Judith, Marilyn and Deanna (Jay) Nielsen. She has ten grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren. A sister, Cleo Barthule, living in West Jordan is the only survivor of the fourteen siblings. Other survivors are numerous nephews and nieces. She was preceded in death by her husband Ernest and her youngest daughter, Karen Sue.
A special thanks goes to Dr. Laurene Joseph and Dr. Cynthia Lawlor and their staff at the St. Mark’s Senior Center. The family wishes to express their gratitude to the staff of Sego Lily Assistant Living in Sandy for the loving care they have shown mom for over four years. We would also like to express our appreciation to Lighten Home Health and Hospice for providing comfort and healthcare support to our mother this past month.
Family and friends may attend a viewing on Friday evening, March 1, 2019, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the Grandview Second Ward located at 2930 South 2000 East, Salt Lake City, Utah. The funeral service will be held at Grandview Second ward on Saturday, March 2, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. with a viewing time of 45 minutes prior to the funeral. Interment will be in the Memorial Redwood Cemetery, 6500 South Redwood Road, West Jordan, Utah.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your favorite charity in Ruth’s name.
Service Information
Viewing March 1, 2019 at 6:00 PM
2930 South 2000 East, Salt Lake City, Utah





Viewing March 2, 2019 at 10:00 AM
2930 South 2000 East, Salt Lake City, Utah





Funeral Service
March 2, 2019 at 11:00 AM
2930 South 2000 East, Salt Lake City, Utah