Leslie Marie (Gardenhire) Johnson, 89 of Topeka, KS peacefully passed away on June 7, 2016 with her daughter at her side.
She was born October 7, 1926 in Alma, Kansas the seventh of eleven children born to Leslie and Bertha Marie (Hall) Gardenhire. She was a graduate of Alma High school and member of Hope Lutheran church.
After thirty years of service she retired from nursing at the Topeka Veterans Administration hospital.
Her proudest achievements centered around family. She used her retirement to provide full time care for her grandchildren. She accomplished her goal of making sure that her three grandsons never had a sitter other than her.
She was married to Charles O. Johnson on June 7, 1949 at Antioch Missionary Baptist church. Her death occurred on the day that commemorated what would have been their sixty seventh wedding anniversary. They had one child, Pamela Johnson Betts.
She enjoyed spending time with her family especially her grandsons. She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. Her passion for life included not only caring for her family but having grown up on a farm she also received much pleasure from nature, being outdoors, gardening (both vegetables & flowers), canning, using her exceptional culinary skills to cook huge meals to gather her family together, going wild green hunting, playing dominoes, fishing, her spiritual faith, attending church and being of service to others.
In her earlier years she worked in retail at local department stores. From those experiences she developed a keen sense of fashion and a life enduring chic style.
She had a great sense of humor, quick wit and infectious presence rendering her the light and laughter in most any setting. Our family's hearts were warmed by her thoughtfulness and way of always making us know that we were loved, protected and cherished. Throughout her life she demonstrated strength and resilience, she was our family's rock our matriarch........mother and grandmother. We are so blessed to have had her and as always she gave us a final gift as she left us with her unquestionable, unwavering & interminable love.
She is survived by her daughter Pamela and two grandsons Brandt Nicholas Betts and Blake Skyler Betts all of Topeka. Two sisters Lena Rhodeman, Salina, Ks and Esther Redmon, Topeka, KS. An uncle, Alex (Ethel) Gardenhire, Topeka, Ks and brother-in- law Leonard (Jean) Johnston, Toledo, Ohio and several cousins, nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, parents and a grandson, Chazwel Spencer Betts; three sisters: Goldie Gossett, Ethel & Florence Gardenhire and five brothers: George, Edward, Henry, Kenneth and Leonard Gardenhire.
Care for services was entrusted to Peaceful Rest Funeral Chapel. Private services were held at Hope Lutheran Church with burial at Historic Topeka Cemetary.
Memorial contributions can be made in her honor to the Topeka Public Schools Foundation, P.O. Box 5883, Topeka, Ks 66605.
Online condolences and fond memories can be left for the family at www.peacefulrestfuneralchapel.com