Obituary of Lillian M. Johnston

Lillian M. Johnston, age 75, of Fort Atkinson passed away on Tuesday, August 7, 2012 at Wellington Meadows in Fort Atkinson, WI where she had been a resident since May 2011. Lillian was born on February 19, 1937, the daughter of Frank and Catherine (Sprander) Shearer. On October 27, 1956 Lillian married Richard Dewey, of Palmyra. A second marriage to Kenneth Johnston, of Palmyra was on May 8, 1972. She and Kenny spent 39 loving years together blending their families, until his death June 11, 2011. Lillian spent most of her early life, as a stay at home mom and then working in housekeeping and cleaning services. She and her husband Ken managed the Riverview Manor Apts. Fort Atkinson in the later years before retiring. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Fort Atkinson. She volunteered to distribute Meals on Wheels. She was a loving sister and aunt. Aunt Lilly will long be remembered by many nieces and nephews and also their children. She always had a smile for each of them and loved them unconditionally. As a loving mother, she was always there for her children and will long be held in their hearts. But it was as a grandmother, that Lillian found her calling. She embraced being a grandmother, it was her greatest joy. While there were many miles that distanced her with some of her grandchildren, she would always look forward to times that they could reconnect. She would always have pictures of her grandchildren and their children, saving every card and note that they would send. Many mementoes were kept as treasures close at hand. She is survived by: a sister; Jessie Foat; Fort Atkinson. Her children; Wanda Dewey (Richard) Merriett, Fort Atkinson; Richard (Melissa) Dewey, Port St. Lucie FL; Mark (Joanne) Dewey, Ellicott City, MD; Susan (Buster) Drays, Edgerton; Colleen (Kenny) Tietz; Palmyra, and Daughter-in-Law: Carolyn Johnston, Mesa, AZ. Her grandchildren: Jamie (Mike) Hahn; Jefferson; Kyle, Tyler, and Lindsay Dewey; Ellicott City MD; Ryan (Jody) Dewey; Jupiter, FL; Amanda Dewey, and Matt (Carrie) Dewey; Port St. Lucie, FL. Jennifer DeVoe, Janesville; Richard Merriett, Watertown. Joanie (Jim) Niemiec; Oak Creek, and Carmen Drays, Rockford, IL, and Amy Johnston Parker; Mesa, AZ. Lillian has 11 great grandchildren, along with numerous nieces and nephews. Lillian was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Kenneth; and a son, Michael Johnston, Sisters, Mary Heath and Delores Koski; brothers, Frank (Bud), Eugene, Gordon, and Donald. Lillian spent the last year of her life living at Wellington Meadows. The staff and caretakers were taken with her charming and loving ways, and she will be missed by all. Her children would like to thank Wellington Meadows for providing for their mother a safe and loving environment. Her children would also like to thank Care Wisconsin group for their caring out reach that they provided for Lillian. Thanks to Rainbow Hospice for coming in during the last couple weeks of her life and helping both Lillian and her daughter through this final journey. How these caring outreach services blessed our lives. Funeral Services will be held at 1:00PM on Sunday, August 12, 2012 at the First United Methodist Church, Fort Atkinson, WI with Rev. Russell Frees Jr. officiating. Burial will be in the Siloam Cemetery, Town of Palmyra, Wisconsin. The children would ask that if those considering an expression of sympathy, may wish to consider a memorial to Wellington Meadows. The Nitardy Funeral Home, Fort Atkinson is assisting the family.