Carol Lou Johnson

It is with great sorrow to announce the passing of Carol Lou Johnson, age 82. She passed away peacefully surrounded by family on 2/1/2023 at 5:07 p.m. at the Salem Hospital. She is now at peace and no longer in pain.

Carol was born March 21, 1940 in St. Joseph, Missouri to J. Alvin Bauman and Mabel A. (Grier) Bauman of Savannah, Missouri. Carol married Richard Lee Johnson on December 20, 1956. They had four children: Cheryl Lynn in 1957, Richard Jr. in 1959, Lisa Leah in 1961 and Brenda Lou in 1970. They stayed together until Richard passed away in 2014, after 57 years of marriage.

Carol worked as an Insurance agent for most of her career and found great joy in being part of this industry, especially at First Federal in Kalispell, Montana. She truly did it all, worked full-time outside of the home, cooked all the meals, washed all the laundry, and kept a spotless home. The family moved a lot due to Richard’s career, and Carol was able to make new friends easily with neighbors and new coworkers. After retiring from her career in insurance, she worked part-time at Meier & Frank/Macy’s for several years.

Carol loved animals, big and small. She found comfort in their unconditional love. She believed a house was not a home without a pet.

Carol was preceded in death by her parents J. Alvin Bauman, Mabel A. (Grier) Bauman, brother Alvin Grier Bauman, son Richard Lee Johnson, Jr., and daughter Lisa Leah Bracken.

Carol is survived by daughters Cheryl Johnson of Tualatin and Brenda Johnson of Salem; granddaughters Tamara Witherell of Kane, PA, Nicole Bracken of St. Joseph, MO, Rebekah Simpson of Magnolia, OH, Desiree Johnson of Lebanon and Celine Swan of Salem; grandsons Aaron Lopez of Tualatin, Anthony Lopez of Seattle, WA, Jesse Johnson of Creswell, Erik Stenquist of St. Joseph, MO, and Seth Gregoire of Keizer. She is also survived by many great and great grandchildren. A special thanks to Saige Swan, her grand son-in-law, and housemate, for helping take care of her during the last couple years of her life.

Carol will be cremated by Howell, Edwards, Doerksen with Rigdon-Ransom Funeral Directors. A private service will be held at a later date by invitation only. She will be interred with the love of her life Richard Johnson Sr. at Willamette National Cemetery where he has waited for her patiently for 8 ½ years.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hed-fh.com for the Johnson family.