Gloria F. Johnson June 14, 1934 – March 14, 2021

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LUSK – A funeral service for Gloria Faye Johnson, 86, will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 10, 2021 at the First Christian Church in Wheatland with Pastor Malcom Ervin officiating. A luncheon will follow the funeral service. 

A graveside service will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday, April 10, 2021 at the Lusk Cemetery. A celebration will immediately follow the graveside at the First Baptist Church in Lusk.

Gloria Johnson passed away Sunday, March 14, 2021 at the Platte County Legacy Home in Wheatland.

Gloria was born in Lusk on Thursday, June 14, 1934, the daughter of Arthur Franklin and Bonnita E. (Reed) Vogel. Gloria was the younger daughter to this union, joining sister Yvonne. After the passing of her mother in 1936, her father remarried on Dec. 31, 1943 to Ada Marie DeGroot and were parents to Charles and Linda.

While in high school, she was a part of Job’s Daughters, Queen of Bethel No. 10, very active in band, choir, editor of the school newspaper and National Honor Society. She graduated from Lusk High School in 1952. She grew up in the newspaper business as her dad owned the Lusk Free Lance from her grade school years until the paper was sold in 1957 after her father’s death. She also went on to work for the Lusk Herald as a correspondent.

She married Donald Eldon Johnson on Feb. 3, 1957 at the Congregational Church in Lusk by Reverend Jacob Nein. They moved to Adel, Iowa where they spent 15 months while Don hauled water at the Redfield gas storage project. Don also stayed in the ranching business with his Dad, Reuben Johnson and brothers, Wayne and Bob. After making several trips back to the ranch in Lance Creek, they moved back in 1958 where they made their home until 2001. 

Gloria was a life member of the VFW Auxiliary, American Legion Auxiliary since 1939, on the Lance Creek election board from 1968-2000, life member of the Lusk Stagecoach Museum serving on the board for nine years, alumni board for six years and acquiring many class pictures of Lusk, Manville and Van Tassell that they didn’t have. 

She spent countless hours going through discharge papers at the courthouse in Lusk always wanting to honor the Veterans. Gathering names for each war. She was a 4-H leader/ Key Leader for 24 years, and she helped get the club started in Lance Creek. She enjoyed each and every child. She enjoyed all the hunters on the ranch, plus all the birds, flowers and wild animals. She loved her life including all her family and friends. It was a simple life with lots of hard work but was very rewarding.

She is survived by her two daughters, Debra Millard of Cody and Vicki (Ken) Pinneo of Wheatland; daughter-in-law, Sandra Johnson of Lusk; five grandsons, Will Johnson of Douglas, Taylor (Breanne) Johnson of Casper, Trent Johnson of Lusk, Matthew (Whitney) Pinneo of Alliance, Neb., and Daniel Pinneo of Wheatland; four great grandchildren, Tinlee Morrison, Kaysen Pinneo both of Alliance, Neb., Oakley and Kelbi Johnson of Casper; sister, Linda Baribeau of Leavenworth, Kan.; special cousin, Dennis Finkle of Nunn, Colo.; and several nieces, nephews, cousins and longtime friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 45 years, Donald E. Johnson on Dec. 9, 2002; son, Arthur “Artie” Johnson on Oct. 31, 2020; father, Arthur Vogel on March 22, 1956; mother, Bonnita Vogel on Oct. 22, 1936; step-mother, Ada Vogel on March 11, 1986; brother, Chuck Vogel on March 8, 1997; and sister, Bonnita Yvonne Silvers Benjamin on Jan. 15, 2004.

A memorial to the VFW Auxiliary in Wheatland to be dedicated to the Wreath’s Across American, the Lusk Senior Center, or to the Memorial Board/ Bench at the Lusk Cemetery would be appreciated by the family. Please send to Vicki Pinneo, 1354 Spruce Street, Wheatland, WY 82201. 

The Gorman Funeral Homes – Platte Chapel of Wheatland are in charge of the arrangements.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.gormanfh.com.