Elaine (Mills) Johnson

A recording of the Celebration of Life is available to view.
To access the recording, follow the link below the service details. 

It is with sad hearts that the family of Elaine Johnson (nee Mills) announce her peaceful passing on Thursday, March 9, 2023.

Elaine was born on July 6,1927, the ninth of twelve children, to Constance and Arthur Mills. Her parents raised their family on a farm at Spalding, through the hard depression years. Hard work, integrity, love of the land, music, family, and fun were bred into their lives. She experienced grief and loss through the death of 3 young siblings, and later the destruction of the family home by fire. In these times she learned the values of family and friends coming together, strong community support and compassion. Following high school graduation, she was persuaded to enroll in a 6 week teacher training program, to help alleviate the serious shortage of teachers. So at age 19, she found herself teaching grades one to eight in a small one-room country school. On July 15,1949, she married her “knight in shining armour” Wellace Johnson. Early in their marriage they made a decision to follow Jesus which changed their lives, as well as the lives of the generations that followed.

After their third child arrived, Elaine chose to be a full-time mother. Six kids, subbing in schools, and teaching Sunday School kept her teaching skills honed! Family, farming, and gardening, as well as an endless number of entrepreneurial pursuits, made their life an adventure to say the least! People, family, and friends were Elaine’s passion - always including good food and fun! One of their later adventures was Beaver Lodge Fly-inn fishing camp. In 2006 when the camp became more than their age and health could sustain, they moved to Circle Drive Place in Saskatoon. Shortly thereafter, Wellace suffered a debilitating stroke and spent the next 3 years in Circle Drive Special Care Home until his passing in September 2009. Elaine remained in the condo enjoying her active social life and especially family visits. In 2021, a fall and deteriorating health necessitated her move to Circle Drive Special Care Home. She passed away peacefully with family by her side on March 9, 2023. She will be missed here, but we know she is happily enjoying her new home!

Elaine was the last surviving member of her immediate family.      
Left to mourn her passing are her six children and their families:

Cheryl (Bill) Salt and family Tara (Jeremy) Cupples and Bjorn; Nathan (Danielle) Salt and Lyla; and Amy Salt;

Lowell (Diane) Johnson and family Siri (Steve) Hawes; and Jamie Johnson;

Wanda (Lyle) Ehalt and family Keldon (Brette) Ehalt and Brooklyn, Rudy, Wally, Ellie Ehalt; Chantel (Greg) Denie and Ezekiel and Ziah;

Garth (D’lee) Johnson and family Dustin (Camila) Johnson and Benjamin and Clara; Myron (Amanda) Johnson and Carolee, Zach, and Liam;

Marilyn Johnson and family Victoria Johnson and Brittany (Cole) Wylde;

Terrill (Heather) Johnson and family Paige (Tyler) Clowes; Brooke Johnson (fiancé Tyson Meyers); and Cole Johnson.

She will also be remembered by many nieces, nephews, and friends.

A Private Interment was at Dovre Lutheran Cemetery, Spalding, SK.
A Celebration of Elaine’s Life took place at Rock of Ages Lutheran Church, 130 Kingsmere Place, Saskatoon, SK, at 2 pm on Friday, March 17th, 2023.

Donations in her memory may be made to:
Kinasao Lutheran Bible Camp - http://www.kinasao.ca/
Legacy One - http://www.legacyone.ca/
Circle Drive Special Care Home - https://circledrivespecialcarehome.ca/

The family wishes to express their deep gratitude to the staff at Circle Drive Special Care Home for their loving and compassionate care for our mom and grandma.