Maria Elizabeth (Betty) Johnson

Betty was born August 20, 1929 in Bloomfield Nebraska. She was the third child and first daughter of Charles Willard and Ella Marie (Wilson) Tompsett. She grew up on the family farm outside of town and not far from the Santee Sioux Indian Reservation. Betty and her brothers Clarence and Leland and her sister Lou Marlene attended classes in a one-room schoolhouse about a mile from their home. They often walked to and from school, but sometimes rode the horse or ponies. Betty recalled this as a special treat for both the school children and the animals. The children enjoyed petting the horses and shared apples from lunches with them. Several years later, the family moved into Bloomfield where Betty’s dad opened an appliance store. The store closed when WWII required metal to go towards the war effort, and no new appliances could be manufactured or sold. Betty’s dad headed to Omaha to find other work. The family joined him after he found an electrician job. Betty attended and graduated form North High School. She worked at a few different jobs looking for the right fit. While working at a cafe downtown, she caught the attention of Donnell Johnson. After noticing Betty walking from her work shift a few times, Don mustered up the courage to ask her if he could drive her home. She told him that she lived just a little farther up the road and she would walk. Don parked the car and joined her for the “short” walk, which ended up being around two miles. This encounter led to many dates and a marriage proposal. Donnell had a piece of land close to his parents, and the couple set to work building a house to move into when they married. They spent long hours and many “dates” sawing, hammering, and plastering to build a two bedroom, two bathroom house with a garage in back. Betty and Donnell were married August 24, 1952 in Omaha. After five years, Kristine was born followed by Scott, Brian, and Donnella. A bigger family needed a bigger house. After weighing many options, the choice was made to enlarge the house. Two bedrooms, another bathroom and an attached garage made the house what it is today.

Besides raising children, Betty was involved in many outside activities and organizations. As a newlywed, she became a lifetime member of Epsilon Sigma Alpha, a philanthropic sorority. Members of her chapter included some of her high school classmates. The women had close bonds while working on fundraisers, attending conventions, and sharing life events. Betty also enjoyed working the elections with the same loyal group at the grade school. After retiring from years of being a companion caretaker for elderly people, she volunteered at the Tip Top Thrift Shop. Betty was very involved in her children’s activities as they grew. She always volunteered for some activity at the Western Hills school carnival. She was very active with the Girl Scouts for both Kristine and Donnella. She was a helper to the scout leader or was the actual troop leader for many years. She was also a cookie distribution chairman for several years. This meant that once a year the family had to get the garage clean enough to have hundreds of cases of Girl Scout cookies delivered to the house. Betty sorted the cases needed for around twenty troops and contacted the cookie chair people to pick up the cookies for their troops. Betty helped Kristine and Scott with their paper route. She drove the route on weekend mornings and when the weather was bad. When Kristine entered Benson High School, Betty and Donnell joined the Booster’s Club, and remained members until Brian graduated. They usually were members of the Benson Honors Banquet committee, helping to make that a very special event. After Donnell retired, the couple enjoyed watching grandchildren grow and were able to travel the United States and Europe.

Betty is preceded in death by her husband Donnell and children Donnella and Scott as well as her parents and siblings. She is survived by daughter Kristine McLaughlin and son Brian Johnson and grandchildren Anthony and Matthew McLaughlin and Evan, Burgandi, and Emily Johnson. Other survivors include many other relatives and family friends. Please join us to celebrate Betty’s life with a service and lunch and sharing stories.