Louella Lorraine Johnson
Nov. 22, 1929-Aug. 16, 2024
EMPORIA – Louella Lorraine Johnson died Friday, Aug. 16, 2024, at her home in Emporia. She was 94.
She was born Nov. 22, 1929, in Centerville, S.D., the daughter of Godlieb Gross and Anna (Stickley) Gross. She lived in Yankton, S.D., before moving to Emporia.
Louella married Howard “Bud” Horlyk, and to this union four children were born, Vicki, Kay, Tammy and Michael. They later divorced. She married Walter Johnson Nov. 7, 2001, and they shared over 22 years of marriage.
She was a homemaker while raising her children, and later worked in several department stores as a salesperson, eventually retiring from Wal-Mart in Emporia.
Louella was a member of New Covenant Church, Emporia. She loved to dance, sell antiques at flea markets, and fish, camp and travel with her family. She was a practical joker who loved to make people laugh, and she was full of life.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Godlieb and Anna Gross; three sisters, Vivian Germillion, Phyllis Mayeux and Delores Grovijahn; and three brothers, Glen Gross, Floyd Gross and Lester Gross.
Louella is survived by her husband, Walter Johnson, of the home; three daughters, Vicki Burnett, Emporia, Kay Christopher, Madison, and Tammy Langholz (Jim), Louisburg; a son, Michael Horlyk (Tracy), Sioux Falls, S.D.; two sisters, Eileen Mehle, Louisiana, and Evelina Robinson, Jackson, Mo.; a stepson, Keith Johnson (Janet), Overbrook; 11 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.
A celebration of life service will be held at 10 a.m. Aug. 24, at New Covenant Church, 2300 East Sixth Avenue, Emporia. Inurnment will follow at the Overbrook Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hand in Hand Hospice, and sent in care of Lamb-Roberts-Price Funeral Home, P.O. Box 268, Overbrook, KS 66524.
Condolences may be left at Lamb-Roberts.com.
