Janice Christene Johnson (Poulson) Obituary (1937 - 2022)

With mixed emotions we announce the passing of our dear mother (grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and friend), Janice Christene Poulson Johnson on November 18, 2022. Jan was born on October 1, 1937 to August Poulson and Virginia Bezyack in Castle Gate, UT. She was blessed as a baby in a local LDS ward even though neither parent was a member of the predominant religion. She was joined by a brother, Udell, 2 years later on Dec 18, 1939. (She would have her own child, Heidi, on his birthday 31 years later, which was great fun for both.) Jan and Udell were very close, especially after their parents divorced while they were still young. Jan spent her childhood in Dragerton and Scofield, UT. After her mother remarried, she lived in Southern California. It was while she was there as a young adult that she joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She met Larry A. Johnson at a fireside and he got up the courage to ask her out. They were married and sealed in the Los Angeles Temple on August 19, 1961. They went to Disneyland on their honeymoon! Jan and Larry made their home in the greater West Los Angeles area. They had seven children... five girls, one boy, one girl. She insisted on giving dad a boy and that he not be the youngest. She worked for a time at the Southern California Gas Company. Her older children have fond memories of going to Disneyland on the many "Mormon" and "Gas Co" nights (and other times, when ticket prices were less than $10 a day!). Jan loved the color pink with reckless abandon! She even had a pink stove at the first home they bought. The refrigerator would have been pink as well, but dad couldn't afford both to be painted. As luck would have it, their last home in Culver City, CA was pink with sparkles. What a find! It even came with a garage apartment where Udell lived to be close to our family. Mom loved to dance and won many dance competitions prior to marriage. She was an excellent cook/baker and was known for her roasts, cinnamon rolls and fudge. She was an excellent seamstress, making many dresses and costumes over the years. Her life was filled with service to others and she taught by example to serve. She paid attention to another's need and did her best to help. Mom loved to eat and especially go out to eat. Because her own mother had worked as a waitress, she taught her children to leave a generous tip. Mom and dad moved their family to Spanish Fork, UT in August 1979. Mom drove all seven children alone to Utah in the station wagon, baby Betsey being under 1 y/o. Dad stayed behind to sell the pink house, which was repainted green. Mom found moments of joy as a mother and grandmother. She was and is so proud of each child, grandchild and great-grandchild. She had a way of seeing the gifts and talents of each person. Mom was helping to care for dad up until 3 weeks before her passing. She was still making him breakfast almost every day. In the end, she had to have a surgery and never bounced back. Her COPD and the onset of pneumonia helped usher her to her heavenly home. Mom is survived by her husband Larry of 61 years, and her children: Jill Devereaux, Karen (John) Packard, Heidi Taylor, Jennifer Daybell, Brian Johnson and Betsey (Dave) Martinson. And the following grandchildren: Tim, Katie, Andrew, Kim, Westley, Nickolas, Oliver, Veronica, Ben, Rachel (honorary), Kamryn, Madi and Jaxon. Great-grandchildren: Theo, Harvey, Walter, Eloise & baby girl (coming March 2023). A daughter Julene, and a grandson, Jeremy, preceded her in death. Mom was only in her 20's when she lost both her parents and was 44 when she lost her dear brother, Udell. We are happy they are reunited at last. We know families are forever. We miss you dearly, Mom! Funeral planned for Tuesday, November 29th at 1pm. Viewing at 11am. Mt Nebo Ward, 1552 E 750 S. Spanish Fork, UT, 84660. Livestreaming available through Legacy Funerals & Cremations Facebook page. To leave condolences for the family, visit www.leagacyfunerals.com. --