Obituary of Dee Johnston
Dolores “Dee” Jewel Johnston (90) beloved longtime resident of St. Maries, ID passed away at her home on December 4, 2023, surrounded by her loving children. She was born to Carl and Nellie Foster on September 14, 1933, in Wynona, OK. At the age of 6, Dee’s family moved to Santa, ID in 1940, and Dee graduated St. Maries High School with the class of 1951.
Following high school, Dee went to work at the St. Maries Hospital. She married Barney “Bud” E. Johnston in 1953 in Fernwood, ID. The couple made their home in St. Maries where they raised their two children. Dee started her career in nursing in 1952 at the Milwaukee Hospital and continued to work for Dr. B.A Rapp and later Dr. J.R. Katovich at the St. Maries Family Medicine, rounding out her 30-year nursing career. You could always tell that Dee was working at the clinic from hearing her laughter from down the hall.
Dee’s favorite thing was spending time with Bud, from dancing to riding motorcycles, camping and fishing. An avid reader, you would rarely find Dee without a book in her hand. She also liked to crochet, knit, and garden. She loved and adored her grandchildren, creating a tradition of watching wrestling, cooking shows and tennis, along with tea parties, hot chocolate and the famous snack drawer.
Dee is survived by her children Joe (Sharlyn) Johnston of St. Maries, ID and Sue Beary of Hayden, ID; sister Patti (Lanny) Sloan of Salmon, ID and brother Steve (Alice) Foster of Navarre, FL. Dee is survived by grandchildren James (Mischa) Beary, Heather (Sean) Ryan, Cynthia (Mike) Frost, Barbara (T.J.) Heiniger, Greg (Karen) Johnston, Isaac (Cassie) Johnston, and Alex Johnston. Also surviving are 12 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband Bud, sister Leta Fauver, and grandson Joseph.
A Memorial Service will be on Saturday, December 16, 2023, at 11:00 am at the Community Presbyterian Church in St. Maries, ID. A gathering of family and friends will follow to share a meal in the fellowship hall. Memorial contributions may be made to Hope’s Haven, 53 Robinson Lane, St. Maries, ID 83861 or Michael J. Fox Parkinson’s Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, www.michaeljfox.org.
