Obituary: JOHNSON, GENE

Gene Nilsson Johnson1920 ~ 2013Gene Nilsson Johnson, 92, passed away August 23, 2013 in Portland, Oregon. She was born December 8, 1920 in Knightsville, Utah to William Leslie and Mildred Irene Higginson Nilsson. She married Orson Alma Johnson, Jr. on March 8, 1941 in Salt Lake City, Utah. He passed away January 24, 1998.Survived by sons, Brent Johnson and Dennis (Merlynn) Johnson; daughter, Claudia (Jerry) Eynon; 14 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren; brothers, Dale, Wayne, and Lynn (Karen) Nilsson. Preceded in death by a son, Dan Johnson; brothers, William and Louis Nilsson; and a sister, Afton Allsop.She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving faithfully in many capacities.Gene worked 22 years in the Salt Lake County Library system. She worked at the East Millcreek Branch and the South Salt Lake Branch. She loved working with children and was the children's librarian. Her first library experience began in 1939 in the old Midvale school where 2 rooms represented the library. Gene also enjoyed working at the Calvin Smith Library when it was just a barracks on Miller Avenue. Through her years of service in the community she exemplified the highest traditions of public service. The Mayor of South Salt Lake City, Jim Davis, stated "Gene Johnson's spirit has made going to the Library a Joy." Gene read stories to millions of children including many hours of story telling to her own grandchildren. She taught them to love books and to love to read.Funeral services will be held Saturday, Aug. 31, at 1 p.m. at Goff Mortuary, 8090 So. State, Midvale, where there will be a viewing starting at 11:30 a.m. Interment, Salt Lake City Cemetery. www.goffmortuary.com