I met Denise in 2019 in Omaha through her son. She was the kindest, strongest woman I’ve ever met to this day. I aspire every day to be like here. There’s not a time of year that goes by that I don’t think about her. When I was going through a hard time she played a motherly role to me that I will never forget. I’ll never not think of her as a mother and love her. One of my favorite memories of her was carving pumpkins and using all of her Halloween filters. Or maybe it’s going shopping for groceries. I don’t know… everything she did she did out of love. And I’ll forever love her. It’s been years and still stings my heart today.

My mom has stayed with me to this day. Sometimes I think back to the times when I thought she was being annoying and too particular about the way things should be done. I find it funny to see myself do the same things today. 
She always did her best to just let us be kids. She would tell me she didn’t understand why I wanted to grow up so bad. Now I know what she meant. I understand her more everyday as I get older and how she dealt with struggles effortlessly. It’s funny, I never gave my mom the respect she really deserved until she was gone. But I never loved her any less, and I know for a fact she never loved me less for being a stupid teenager either. 

Oh wow, man. I just found out about this a few days ago. I've been retired from Valmont nearly 6 years now, but Denise was one of the few that always had my back. I always felt bad that I had to leave Valmont when I did because it left her with one less ally. 

REST IN PEASE MY FRIEND!  

I am left to wonder why none of my coworkers felt the need to inform me. Indeed, my last friend at that place has left the building.

I will miss her a lot. There is so much to say about her. She was a mother to me in his huge country where I had come to make my career. She had been with me through every step. I cannot really imagine that she is no more. I feel she is right there. I remember her Diet Coke, lemon tea, her smilies, the news she used to play in her car - everything!! 

Whenever I used to ask her how is she doing, her reply would be “not too bad”. I know she is right there smiling at everyone she loved. 

I keep coming back to this page to try and find the words to express how amazing Denise was to me. From the first moment I met her I sensed her strength. It was evident in everything about her. Her strength of character, friendship, intelligence, and the very essence of who she was. No matter how busy she was, she always made time for me. We spend hours on the phone or in person hammering away trying to find solutions to our current problem of the day. During all those long sessions we would talk about family and life. I have so many memories with her, and I am truly thankful for that. To  Dan, Jake, and Eli you meant the world to her and she was so proud of you! 

Denise and I have been friends since kindergarten.  She is wild and crazy and not afraid to let you see who she really is.  We had great times  going to school together at St Bernard's.  One day she walked all 6 blocks backwards to school just because "she knew the way so well she just wanted to prove she could do it".  Sometimes she would come to my house after school and fight with my sisters cuz "she didn't have siblings to fight with".  She thought that was great!  We spent our summers hanging out in our Benson neighborhood and riding our bikes all over North Omaha.   As we got older there were cars and boyfriends and concerts and sneaking out at night.  We were each others "bad influence" and we had a great time.  She is a big part of who I am today.  I cant believe I'll never be able to share these memories with her again and laugh about it all.   We hadn't seen each other much in the last few years and i will regret that forever.  She is generous and loving and she will be missed so much.  

Denise you will be missed so much and by so many... thank you for all those talks about important stuff like life. I think you had a way to ‘reboot’ many and bootstrap it through. Life isn’t perfect you’d say😢deal with it and get over it! Your professional help in dogfighting out a resolution to something that was broken also garnered and still appreciated. Not sure how everything is going to get to ‘done’ but I know you know already this is my second note. It’s appropriate the first message with quotes little things you’d say were lost in cyberspace as some profanity was the reality. So non/politico no correcto! Keep helping me from above as you did on earth and great to have called you a friend and you still are.  All the Valmont University Team enjoyed working with you too. 

"Mother" comes to mind whenever I think of Denise.  As a co-worker there is not a conversation I can recall with her when her sons , and Lili, and her immeasureable love of each of them was not evident and on her lips.  Praying that the powerful gift of Denise's ceaseless love of them will envelop and sustain them, and provide a well for them to draw from as they journey through their grief.  

And so too, our work family has lost a dear friend and a warrior...gone from our presence but always remembered!




 


My sounding board and shoulder to cry on is gone.  What a dear friend and coworker we have lost.  It'll never be the same without you. Rest now, Denise.

Devoted, smart, reliable, loving, honest and genuine are just a few words that describe Denise. For almost 30 years I have been lucky to call Denise my friend.  She never sugar coated anything and if you wanted the truth she was the best friend to hear it from. She new exactly who she was and never changed for anyone. I will miss her and will always keep her close to my heart.

I will always remember her bright smile and fast humor to go along with her shiny, fast Monte Carlo blaring Van Halen on our early morning rides to Benson High.  Even though I was the "little sister" she was always ready to let me be a part of the gang.  So sorry for your loss.


Denise was such a great person to work with!   Always smiling and happy.  She will be missed.    

OBITUARY

Denise Marie Johnson

May 11, 1967 – August 30, 2020

Westlawn-Hillcrest Funeral Home & Westlawn-Hillcrest Memorial Park

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