Mary Katherine ‘Kay’ Johnson, age 77, of North Platte, NE, died at home on Saturday, December 26, 2015, with family at her side after a prolonged fight with cancer.
Kay was born November 4, 1938, in Oak Grove, MO, the daughter of Ray and Eva Peerson. She grew up in Oak Grove and graduated from Wyandotte High School in Kansas City, KS then from Kansas State University with a BA in Education and Sociology, Phi Kappa Phi Honorary, in 1960. In 1980, she earned a Master’s Degree in Family Life Education, Omicron Nu Honorary, from Kansas State.
Kay married Dr. Jerre Johnson on August 20, 1960, and they lovingly raised three daughters and a son. She was very involved in her children’s lives and taught Sunday school, 4-H programs, Cub Scouts and Brownies. In addition to raising four children Kay balanced graduate school and a career. She started teaching Kindergarten in Gower, MO for two years, taught night classes in Aging at Mid Plains Community College for 2 semesters, and worked at the Lincoln County Attorney’s office for two years. Kay then became Executive Director of Peoples Family Planning of North Platte and managed that agency for 17 years.
Kay’s passions outside her family included reading, music, traveling, Sudoku and beating her husband in Backgammon. She loved raising flowers but not weeding. She was a long time member of the Theatre Guild, enjoyed PEO, was Rotarian Paul Harris Fellow and a lifelong member of the Methodist Church. Kay was a Husker football fan, except when they played Kansas State, then she and her mother-in-law exchanged words. Kay was loved by many and will be greatly missed.
She is survived by her husband, Jerre L. Johnson, of North Platte; daughters, Janelle Sullivan, of Boone, IA, Cheryl Johnson, of Orlando, FL, and Kristin (Brandon) Taylor, of Longmont, CO; son, Mark Johnson, of North Platte; three grandchildren Kelli Sullivan, of North Platte and Kyle and Sara Taylor, of Longmont, CO; a great-grandson, Sean Ellis, of North Platte, her sister, Judy (Bob) Vilumis, of Overland Park, KS; longtime friend, Dee Weber, of Lexington, NE; and other family and friends.
Per her request, cremation was chosen and a private family memorial service will be held. The memorial book may be signed at odeanchapel.com or from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore which is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Goodfellow Shoe Fund or the donor’s choice.