Esther M. (Kiehna) JOHNSON

KIEHNA, JOHNSON, CODY, BRATSKY, HAAS, SNYDER

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 12/26/2013 at 15:56:49

November 17, 1925 --- May 19, 2004

"Grandma Choo Choo"

Esther M. Johnson, 78, of Billings, passed away peacefully in her home on Wednesday evening, May 19, 2004, with her family at her side. She was one of twin daughters of Louis and Hazel (Cody) Kiehna, born in Dows, Iowa, on Nov. 17, 1925.

Esther's early childhood was in Iowa. She then moved with her mother and sisters to Billings, where she attended school and graduated from Senior High School in 1943. Following her high school graduation, she attended the University of Colorado in Boulder, graduating in 1947, with a degree in nursing. She returned to Billings to begin her career at Billings Deaconess Hospital. On April 24, 1949, Esther married Clarence Johnson in Billings. Being a railroad family, they lived in Livingston; Billings; Duluth, Minn.; Dickinson, N.D.; Whitefish; Kalispell; Columbus and again in Billings in 1992. Esther loved traveling, camping, fishing, sewing and handcrafts. She was a very active member of Grace United Methodist Church.

Survivors include her daughter, Donna (Ralph) Bratsky of Bridger; her grandchildren, Jay Bratsky of Worden and Dana Bratsky of Seattle; her sisters, Dorothy Haas and Ethel (Myron) Snyder and many nieces and nephews. Esther will be missed by her true friend, her dog Suzie. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, May 24, at Grace United Methodist Church with interment at Sunset Memorial Gardens. Memorials may be made to Grace United Methodist Church, 1935 Ave. B, Billings, MT 59102, Big Sky Hospice, P.O. Box 35033, Billings, MT 59107 or to the charity of one's choice. Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Billing Gazette - Billings, Montana
May 22, 2004