Martha Elizabeth Johnson, 89, Killdeer, died on Sunday, March 31, 2024 at Hill Top Home of Comfort, Killdeer. Services will be held at a later date.
On a cool November day in 1934, it was 44 degrees around Gary, Indiana-a beautiful baby girl was born to James and Sally Terrell. Martha Elizabeth was welcomed by a brother who was 1 1/2 years older than her. They grew up to be best friends and would often go on “double dates” in their teen years. Any young man who wanted to come “courting” Martha, had to first gain permission from her brother Jim!
Martha’s dad was a drifter, so the family moved from town-to-town and to many states. Indiana to Prineville, OR where Martha and her mom sang on a local radio station to advertise the family business. California was a longer stop and then they settled in Thermopolis, WY.
Martha was married at a young age (17) and was blessed with three healthy children, Larry Albert, Cheryl Ann, and Sally Rainette. When the marriage ended Martha and the kids stayed in Thermopolis with her dad and step-mom, while she worked at the A & W Restaurant. It was there that she met Harold P. Johnson “H.P.” They were married on March 19, 1966, and blended two families into one as best they knew how, and became a family with four kids, Judy, Larry, Cheryl, and Sally.
Martha and Harold did their best with every circumstance that life gave them even if it was living apart while Harold followed the rig to keep the paychecks coming. The older two kids were on their own and Cheryl and Sally were still at home and the four became the traveling family as they made a choice to stay together and move with the rig! Martha was an expert at packing, unpacking, and making the most humble and smallest places always feel like home! She loved her God given role of Wife, Mom, Homemaker, and Friend!
Martha was an amazing woman! Kind, witty, loving, generous, gracious, and forgiving. She loved Jesus! Her obedience to Him was shown through the craft and artistry of her hands. From baking her famous Dr. Pepper cake, then converting it to Dr. Pepper cookies, meals that she would make for everyone, and any stranger that crossed her path. I am confident that the gifts of her hands are spread all over this country because she shared from her heart all types of handmade gifts…crocheted afghans, tablecloths, doilies, slippers, sweaters, blankets for grandchildren, many, many hand towels and yes, even tissue box covers. The beauty of elegant, intricate doll dresses that were on display in their home gave credit to the hundreds of hours she spent with her crochet needle in her hands… (and the list goes on!)
Out of her heart flowed songs of worship to Jesus-in perfect pitch and with all joy and gratitude of His gift of Salvation, by His Blood that He shed on the Cross and His Resurrection! Martha believed! She was saved by His Grace, and she loved being a follower of Jesus Christ, and she was not shy about living and speaking the Good News of her Savior!
Martha was blessed with wisdom and grace from the Lord as she served in her church teaching Sunday School, sewing costumes for Christmas programs, sewing matching Easter dresses for herself and the two girls. She also led exercise classes for Seniors, and even took swimming lessons when she was around 70 years old!
Martha and Harold spent their retirement camping and fishing and even more camping and fishing, visiting family and a few road trips with the Good Sam’s. Then time, age and Martha’s struggles with remembering kept them a little closer to home-but still going for frequent drives through the canyon to Riverton for shopping at Walmart and dinner at KFC, or to Worland to have lunch at Maggie’s Café.
Martha spent her last years searching for H.P. while living peacefully in the Memory Care Unit of Hilltop Home of Comfort in Killdeer. She sang songs of God’s “Amazing Grace” and the Hope she had in “The Old Rugged Cross.” She was “Ms. Martha” to all who served her there. She was always kind and grateful even in the deepest part of Alzheimer’s.
Ms. Martha had supper on Easter Sunday (March 31), and while sitting in her wheelchair she started repeating her final declaration in this life, “Jesus Loves Me, Jesus Loves Me, Jesus Loves Me!!”…repeatedly!
She was put into her bed, went to sleep, and then stepped into the Presence of her Lord, Jesus!
May we ALL choose to follow Ms. Martha’s example to be saved by the confession and repentance of our sins and to live our life for Jesus Christ.
Martha will be missed by her three children and their spouses; nine grandchildren and their families; 22 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; as well as all of her extended family, nieces, nephews, and family at Hill Top Home of Comfort.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a baby granddaughter; stepdaughter, brother; and most recently her beloved husband of 52 years “H.P.”.
