Obituary; Dorothy L. Burnham Johnson
Dorothy L. Burnham Johnson died at her home on April 17, 2015.
She was born April 21, 1923 at the Pendergast Hotel in Plains, MT to John and Dicie Burnham. She grew up and lived in Plains all but 20 years of her life. She was preceded in death by her husband Otto Howard, her parents, and two brothers, Charlie and Evan.
She treasured her memories of growing up in Plains, walking all over the valley to visit friends that lived down Helterline Road or up on Lynch Creek. Her mom told her about how she sat her on a blanket in the huckleberry patch while they were picking berries. When Dorothy got fussy the Native Americans, also picking berries, would bring her branches of berries to keep her busy, and quiet, for a while. One of her habits when she was a bit older was to check out who might be in the local jail. She would visit through the barred windows with the guys that were there to sober up from the night befores over indulgence. They would give her a penny and tell her to go show her mom. Of course, when she did that her mom would ask where she got that penny and then she was in trouble. She remembered running up to the P Hill many times during lunch breaks at school to bring a bouquet of wild flowers for her teacher. She graduated from Plains High School in 1941. She met her future husband at a roller skating rink in Plains. She married Otto Howard Johnson on April 4, 1942. He was soon stationed with the army in Skagway, AK . Dorothy worked as a waitress in Plains to help support herself and daughter, Lillian, until eventually moving to AK where she worked in a laundry during the war. They lived in AK for 10 years where they had their other three daughters. They returned to Plains to care for their parents. Years later when Diehl’s Mill closed, they moved to Ione, WA for ten years where there was work. They loved the people and good lake fishing. Wherever she lived her friends knew the coffee pot was always on in Dorothy’s kitchen. She loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, baking bread, gardening, canning, playing pinochle, and being with her friends. She was a charter member of the VFW Auxiliary and enjoyed being involved in the work they did. She was also a member of the Rebekah Lodge. Both of these organizations were important to her as the members were all her good friends.
In her later life she enjoyed playing cards and other games with neighbors as well as visits from family and friends.
She is survived by daughters Lillian (Jerry) Dill, Lincoln, AL, Dicie (Orval) Hagerman, Plains, Patricia England, Plains, Sonya (Philip) Peick, Walla Walla, WA, two brothers John Burnham, Tok, AK and Ed Burnham, Plains, two sisters-in-law, Dorothy (Bob) Putz, Spokane, WA and Joyce Burnham, Skagway, AK, seven grandchildren, seventeen great grandchildren, seven great-great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews that she was also very close to.
There will be a service at the VFW Hall at 11:30 am on April 24th. Memorial donations may be made to the VFW Auxiliary.