Marcia G. Johnson

If Mothers were flowers, I would pick youMarcia G. Johnson, beloved mother and grandmother, passed away peacefully in her sleep on July 15, 2009. She had battled with congestive heart failure for several years. She died as she lived, with grace and courage. She was born in Underwood, ND on August 19, 1922, to Walter Nead and Mary (Subcorich) Nead. There were ten children, six boys and four girls. Marcia was the fifth child. Marcia spent her early years in North Dakota and graduated from Stanton High School. She worked as a telephone operator all through high school. After graduation and upon passing a State Education Teacher's test, she taught in a country school for several years. In 1945, she traveled with family friends to Ephrata, WA, where she met Bert Johnson. After a brief courtship, they were married October 28, 1946, in Thompson Falls, MT. In October 1947, a daughter, Linda Kay, was born and in May 1951, a son, Douglas Lee, was born. In August 1975, Doug was killed in a car accident near Twisp, WA. Marcia and Bert were longtime square dancers, meeting many friends over the years. Marcia was noted to be a great dancer and very light on her feet. She was a past member of the long-standing Wheatland Whirlers square dance club and served as the District's Council Secretary. During her tenure, it was said her meeting minutes were impeccable. Marcia lived in Ephrata for 36 years. During those years, she worked as a receptionist for a roofing company and also managed the Ephrata Dusty's In-and-Out. She was a charter member of the Women of the Moose (Ephrata Chapter), Degree of Honor Protective Association member and Eagles Auxiliary Member (Wenatchee). After her divorce in 1983, she moved to Wenatchee to be near her daughter and son-in-law. Marcia helped with the grandsons, prepared meals for the family, canned fruit, assisted with the bookkeeping duties and even drove tractor, helping out in the orchard. Marcia was always there when needed for her friends, grandsons, daughter and son-in-law. Marcia loved to drive. She drove the wheels off several cars, putting on thousands and thousands of miles and yet never leaving the city limits. When the grandsons were younger, she was their chauffeur. She was the lunch wagon for her daughter and family when they worked cherry harvest and she was the taxi for many of her friends. Driving was an outlet for her and, because of that, she got to know every street in East Wenatchee. If you needed to know where a particular street was, just ask Marcia. Her hobbies were working word puzzles, watching game shows, playing cards and Bingo. At Bingo, she made some very good friends. Those friends provided her wonderful support over the years, for which she was most thankful. She always said her friends were the best.Marcia is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Linda and Fred Hurst of East Wenatchee, WA; grandsons, Jesse Hurst of Wenatchee, WA and Mike Hurst of Jackson, WY; one brother, Delton Nead of Reno, NV; numerous nieces and nephews; and many good friends. Mom had an outgoing personality and a very kind spirit. She lived her life to the fullest. She gave many people smiles and love and they gave them back to her. She was the best mother, grandmother and friend. Our hearts are broken, but she will live on in our memories and what beautiful memories we have.A Memorial Service will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 21, 2009, at the Eastmont Presbyterian Church, 200 S. Kentucky Avenue, East Wenatchee, WA. Please feel free to dress casually. Family Inurnment Services will be at a later date at the Ephrata Cemetery