Rozella M. Johnson

Johnson, Rozella M., was born on the family farm south of Argonia on September 7, 1930 to the late Albert and Mary (Ditgen) Stephens and died Thursday, October 8, 2009 in Wichita. She was also preceded in death by her beloved sister, Dorothy Strader, who died at age 49 of breast cancer. Rozella is survived by her husband, Martin Johnson of the home; son, Stephen Johnson (Michele) of Ft. Collins, CO; daughters, Kay Hossner of Auburn, CA, and Jan Karr (Joe) of Wichita; brothers, Robert and Melvin Stephens both of Argonia; grandchildren, Jessica, Jenna and Justin Karr currently residing in Manhattan. Rozella attended Frog Pond one room school near her farm home and graduated as valedictorian from Argonia High School. She was a fifty-year member of Trinity Presbyterian Church where she had served as a deacon and elder and as a longtime driver of the Meals on Wheels program. She had a long and intense interest in higher education and womens rights, and made sure that her daughters and granddaughters had the opportunity to attend college. Rozella was the primary breadwinner while her husband attended college. Among her other interests were painting, feeding and watching birds, traveling, and flower gardening, especially roses. These interests were reflected in her various memberships that included Wichita Art Museum, Project Beauty, Botanica, and Orpheum Curtain Up Club. Visitation with the family, 4:00-6:00 P.M., Sunday, October 11, Downing Lahey Mortuary West. Service, 1:30 P.M., Monday, October 12, Trinity Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established in Rozellas loving memory at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 2258 Marigold, Wichita, KS 67204, ALS Association, 6950 Squibb Rd., S-210, Mission, KS 66202 and Parkinsons Disease Foundation, 1359 Broadway, Suite 1509, New York, NY 10018. Visitation with the family, 4:00-6:00 P.M., Sunday, October 11, Downing Lahey Mortuary West. Graveside service, 4:00 P.M., Monday, October 12, Argonia Cemetery, Argonia, KS