Bonnie Johnson

(From Elliott Mortuary)

Bonnie M. Johnson, 93, died July 19, 2023, at Hospice House, Hutchinson. She was born October 19, 1929, on Patterson Ranch, near Maitland, MO, to Rollie and Colene Margaret (Butzer) Landess.

On December 22, 1950, she married Daryl H. Johnson Sr., in Maitland. They had four children together, Daryl H. Johnson Jr., infant daughter (died at birth), Lorna B. Foster, and Jocelyn Elaine Johnson, who died in January, 1968. Later, Bonnie and Daryl got a divorce, but remained friends.

She attended Northwest Missouri State College after graduating from Maitland High School in 1947. Bonnie taught in Andrew and Holt County, MO schools for 9 years. She graduated from Missouri Southern State University in 1969.

Bonnie's teaching career started in a single room schoolhouse. Nearby farmers would take turns driving Bonnie to the schoolhouse to teach their children ranging in age from 1st grade to 8th grade. She told her family of one particular instance where a farmer had to take Bonnie across the river. 

Later, Bonnie taught English and reading across the United States of America, including: Interlaken, NY; Gallup, NM; Blytheville, AR; and Neosho, MO. She retired from Neosho School District in 1994, teaching a total of 33 years. 

Bonnie's love for teaching didn't stop there - she was a substitute teacher for several years, tutored, and led the Volunteen program at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center. Bonnie found great joy leading the Volunteen program. She would throw pizza parties, give Christmas cards, write letters of recommendation so they could get scholarships, and no one went without a birthday gift.

Bonnie was a bookworm and a wordsmith. She was an avid reader. Scrabble was a hobby of Bonnie's. It was always interesting to play with her. Bonnie's grandchildren remember her bringing a 1950's thesaurus to the game. If the word wasn't in her thesaurus, it wasn't a word. 

Bonnie enjoyed playing Word Search, Yahtzee (which she would often cheat during), and doing crossword puzzles. She liked to watch her old westerns on TV. Bonnie loved to have milk and cookies with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. There was always something sweet to eat at Grandma's house. Bonnie will be remembered as a loving, loyal, and devoted mom, grandma, and great-grandma, with a forgiving spirit.

In 1973, she was named to Outstanding Elementary Teachers of America. Bonnie was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma (Alpha Epsilon Chapter) Teacher's International Society, Neosho. Bonnie was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church, Hutchinson.

Bonnie is survived by: daughter, Lorna B. (Frank) Foster, Hutchinson; son, Daryl H. Johnson Jr., Carthage, MO; grandchildren, Sean Johnson, Jocelyn M. Shank, Aaron Johnson, Amy Buford, Tony Johnson, Jocelyn C. Holmes, Sarah Crowe, and George Foster; 11 great-grandchildren; cousins, Freddie Butzer, Maitland, Jeannie Reed, St. Joseph, MO, and Janis Kay "Sis" Waggoner, California; nephew, Eric Landess, Kansas City, KS; nieces, Jannelle Landess, Washington, and Britte Landess, St. Joseph, MO.

She was preceded in death by: her parents; daughters, Jocelyn Elaine, and infant daughter, Baby Girl Johnson, who is buried on Chincoteague Island, VA; and brother, Billy Wayne Landess.

Cremation has taken place. Private graveside service will be at a later date in Mt. Hope Cemetery, Mound City, MO. Friends may sign the book from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Elliott Mortuary.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.