Delphine Johnson, 85

Delphine was born on Oct. 17, 1931, in Alexandria, Minnesota, to Glenn and Hattie Hanson.

She passed away June 11, 2017.

Growing up in Kalispell, she graduated from Flathead County High School, before receiving a teaching degree from Northern Montana College in Havre.

Delphine taught first grade in Libby for one year before marrying Larry Johnson on July 6, 1952. He had just graduated from West Point and the two of them began their life together in the Air Force. During the next 28 years that Larry was a pilot in the Air Force, they lived in many places — Georgia, Montana, Newfoundland, Canada, Texas, Ohio, Panama, Washington and California. In 1969, Delphine went back to college and graduated from Pacific Lutheran University with a teaching degree. In 1979, when Larry retired from the Air Force, they decided to make Puyallup, Washington, their home.

Delphine was always very involved in her church, teaching Sunday school and participating in the women’s groups. At Mountain View Lutheran Church in Edgewood, Washington, she was the superintendent of the Sunday school for many years. Delphine has also been a member of the Daughters of Norway, and served as the president of Embla Lodge.

Delphine is survived by son Paul of Snoqualmie, Washington, and daughter Susan Bartels of Graham, Washington; five grandchildren, Scott, Valerie, Steven, Kristin and Brian; two great-grandchildren, Lauren and Brielle; her sister, Glenna Rae Casper, of Missoula; and her half sister, Mary Balestrieri, of California.

Delphine was preceded in death by her husband Larry, and her parents.

A celebration of Delphine’s life was held June 15 at Mountain View Lutheran Church in Edgewood.

She will be interred at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery in Kalispell at 10 a.m. on June 24.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made toward Alzheimer’s research (alz.org) or to the Memorial Fund at Mountain View Lutheran Church.