Rita Ann Almas Johnson, 95

Rita Ann Almas Johnson, 95, died Jan. 19, 2015.

She was born on June 16, 1919 in Havre, the third child of Dr. Joseph S. and Georgiana Sanderson Almas. Growing up, she enjoyed Girl Scouts, hiking and horseback riding. She kept in touch with the members of her Scout troop for more than 50 years.

She met Maurice “Ed” E. K. Johnson in high school and recalled first hearing about him when he blew up the chemistry lab. They married in 1944 after he finished medical school and she earned a Master of Nursing degree from Yale. Ed went off to the South Pacific with the Army and Rita returned to her family home in Havre where she taught nursing at the hospital. Ed and Rita were married for almost 62 years, until his death in 2006.

After the war and Ed’s surgical residency in Detroit, they moved to Kalispell in June 1950, where they raised their family. They put their three daughters through college and post-graduate programs. They enjoyed swimming in Flathead Lake, ice skating, cross country skiing, pack trips into the Bob Marshall Wilderness and growing roses and vegetables.  

Rita substitute taught biology at the high school and botany at Flathead Valley Community College (FVCC). She also provided one-on-one tutoring for youngsters who just needed a little encouragement. She loved all children and was the ice cream cone lady in her neighborhood. She recorded books-on-tape for blind children. Rita was president of the local American Field Service (AFS) program and (with Ed) was the host family for three students representing Germany, New Zealand and South Africa. The student from South Africa (Marie DeVos Breytenbach) became a real daughter to her and there were many visits between South Africa and Montana by both families over the years.

Rita and Ed were dedicated to creating opportunities for children of this community and gave many donations so children could have educational opportunities. These gifts were often anonymous. Both Rita and Ed started college during the Depression at Northern Montana College because it was locally accessible and affordable. They were big supporters of Flathead Valley Community College. When the Flathead Valley Medical Auxiliary dissolved, Rita put the money from the treasury into the Selma Dodge Endowed Scholarship at FVCC and added to that fund with her own money through the years (Selma Dodge was the wife of an early Flathead Valley doctor).

As a child and since 1948, she always had a dog in the home as a friend and companion. The current dog, Marley, will miss begging dog biscuits from her.

For years, she enjoyed the warm water pool class and working with the personal trainers at The Summit. She looked forward to the conversation with and support of these class friends and staff.  

Rita is survived by daughters, Ann and Marise of Kalispell, and Ellen Johnson and husband Dan Olsen of Portland; nephews, Reid Olsen of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and Evan Olsen of Eugene, Oregon; nephew, George Antunes, (her summer boy); and nieces, Mary Frances Sparkman, Jane Van Brussel and Sarah Fajardo, and others.

She was preceded in death by an infant son, Christian, and her husband.

There will be a rosary at 7 p.m. Feb. 6 at the Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 12:10 p.m. on Feb. 9 at St. Matthew’s. Honorary pallbearers are Kevin Mackay, Bo Mackay, Lee Koslowski, George Antunes, Justin Sliter, Everit Sliter and Steve Sutherland.

The family suggests memorials be sent to the Rita Johnson Endowed Nursing Scholarship at Flathead Valley Community College, 777 Grandview Dr., Kalispell, MT  59901.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for the Johnson family.