EMPORIA, Kan. – Louella Lorraine Johnson, 94, of Emporia, Kan., passed away Friday, Aug. 16, 2024, at her home. She was born Nov. 22, 1929, in Centerville, S.D., the daughter of Godlieb Gross and Anna (Stickley) Gross.
She lived in Yankton, S.D., before moving to Emporia.
She married Howard “Bud” Horlyk, and they later divorced. From this union three daughters, Vicki, Kay and Tammy, and a son, Michael, were born.
On Nov. 7, 2001, Louella married Walter Johnson. They shared more than 22 years of marriage.
Louella was a homemaker while raising the children; she later worked in several department stores as a salesperson, and eventually retired from Wal-Mart, in Emporia.
She was a member of New Covenant Church, Emporia. She loved to dance, sell antiques at flea markets, and fishing, camping and traveling with her family. She was full of life, was a practical joker, and loved to make people laugh.
Lou was preceded in death by her parents, Godlieb and Anna Gross; three sisters, Vivian Germillion, Phyllis Mayeux and Delores Grovijahn; and three brothers, Glen Gross, Floyd Gross and Lester Gross.
Surviving family includes her husband, Walter Johnson, of the home; three daughters, Vicki Burnett, Emporia, Kay Christopher, Madison, Kan., and Tammy Langholz (Jim), Louisburg, Kan.; a son, Michael Horlyk (Tracy), Sioux Falls, S.D.; two sisters, Eileen Mehle, of Louisiana; and Evelina Robinson, of Jackson, Mo.; a stepson, Keith Johnson (Janet), Overbrook, Kan.; and 11 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.
A celebration of life service will be 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 24, at the New Covenant Church, 2300 E. Sixth Ave., Emporia. Inurnment will follow at the Overbrook Cemetery, Overbrook.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Hand in Hand Hospice and sent in care of Lamb-Roberts-Price Funeral Home, PO Box 268, Overbrook, KS 66524. Condolences can be left at www.lamb-roberts.com.
