Geraldine ‘Gerri’ Nelson Johnson, 82
It is with extreme sadness we announce the passing of our wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Geraldine Grace Nelson Johnson, on April 30, 2021, in Palm Springs, California, due to complications from a blood clot.
Gerri was born Sept. 26, 1938, in Kalispell and was raised in Bigfork. She raised her children in Puyallup, Washington, and, after over 30 years as an administrator in state, city and county government, became a full-time resident of Palm Springs with her husband in 2006.
She was predeceased by her parents, Joe T. and Flo Nelson.
She is survived by her husband, Ronald “Ron” Johnson; children, Lori Rainwater (Chuck), Alan Rainwater (Pamela) and Ron Rainwater (Tohni); grandchildren, Jesse (Ashley), Danielle, Cynthia and Kendal; great-grandsons, Brady, Camden and Teegan; brother, Joe Nelson Jr. (Karen); and sister Harriett Brittenham (Marv). She is also survived by three stepchildren, Bobby Johnson, Pam Arsenault and Russell Johnson along with their children, and several nieces and nephews and extended family of whom she loved dearly.
Mom was an avid golfer, which brought her and Ron to Palm Springs. She was passionate about everything she did and everybody she knew. She was the best cheerleader and very rarely missed a sporting event of her kids, grandkids and, more recently, her great grandsons. She loved the outdoors and always felt that a pot of homemade soup would fix everything. Reading was a passion of hers and we have her list of “Books I’ve Read Since Retirement.”
She was one in a million who never met a stranger and lived every day to its fullest. In a letter she wrote to her three kids a few years back she wrote, “Aside from a few bumps along the way, I have enjoyed excellent health, a fulfilling life with so many great friends. I credit my youthfulness to my parents, Joe and Flo Nelson, who were forever young, and I hope that I too can enjoy my old age with all my marbles intact. I have no bucket list of things yet to do, I just enjoy each day as it comes, and give thanks when I wake in the mornings and am breathing.”
We will miss you so very much, Mom — until we meet again our motto is WWGGS (What would Gramma Gerri Say).
A celebration of life will be held this summer in Washington and early fall in Palm Springs due to the pandemic. In the meantime, at your next 5:00 Happy Hour please raise your glass to Gerri. Cheers…