Helen Gray Johnston
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Helen Gray Johnston, 100, Lawrence, KS, died Saturday, June 1, 2019 at her home in Bridge Haven Village, Opa’s House.
Helen was born January 10, 1919 in Murdo, South Dakota to Carlyle Leggett Gray and Nina Emily Kight Gray. She was the oldest of their three children. Her Sister, Lila Thompson, is 98 and lives in Mesa, Arizona. Her brother, Gene, was killed in WWII at the age of 19. She spent most of her life in Sioux Falls, SD and was an active supporter of the community.
She graduated from Washington Senior High School in Sioux Falls and was active in girls’ athletics and the year book. She was an avid swimmer and had many stories to tell regarding adventures when swimming.
Helen went two years to Nettleton Commercial College in Sioux Falls, SD. She worked for many years as a secretary and continued to take college classes throughout her life.
She married Max Arthur Varley Johnston on March 17, 1942 in Pomona, California 14 days after they met during the war. They had three daughters and were married 57 years until Max’s death in January, 1999.
Helen and Max lived many places while he completed his education and worked as a chemist. They returned to Sioux Falls, SD and took over her father’s business, Gray Realty, in 1960. They continued with that business until retirement at age 62, after which they had a winter home in Apache Junction, AZ and traveled throughout the U.S. and abroad.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brother; husband; oldest daughter, Nina Lacey; great-grandson, Caden White; and brother-in-law, Clete Thompson.
She is survived by her two daughters and three sons-in-law, Peggy (Ed) White of Lawrence, KS, Salli (Gene) Thompson of Blackhawk, CA, and Patrick Lacey of Phoenix, AZ, as well as by her sister, Lila Thompson,
her five grandchildren:
Jon (Vicki) Lacey of San Diego, CA,
Liz (Joe) Lacey-Gotz of St. Paul, MN,
Tim (Kathy) Lacey of San Diego, CA
Darin (Shannon) White of Lawrence, KS
Brian (Jenni) White of Lawrence, KS
and nine great grandchildren:
Kate Lacey-Gotz of Dundee, Scotland
Zoey Lacey-Gotz of Dallas, TX
Noel White of Lawrence, KS
Claire White of Lawrence, KS
Ellie White of Lawrence, KS
Lena White of Lawrence, KS
Silas White of Lawrence, KS
Rio Lacey of San Diego, CA
Roark Lacey of San Diego, CA
She is also survived by 4 nieces, one nephew, and many other great nieces and nephews
Mary (Bob) Ebel of Mesa, AZ
Jeanne (Larry) Holmes of N. Ft Myers, FL
Liz Knitter of Prescott, AZ
Brad Johnston of Bradford, VT
Margaret Johnston (Phil Kinsler) of Lyme, NH
Helen moved to Lawrence in 2005 from Sioux Falls, SD. She attended Lawrence Free Methodist Church, was an active member in the Lawrence Welcome Club and enjoyed playing bridge often.
Helen was a great story teller and a hugger. She was also very generous and loved her family dearly.
She was adamant about her family and friends seeing her while she was alive, and it was a joy to honor her with a reunion and 100th birthday party in January 2019. In accordance with her wishes, no services will be held and her body has been donated to the University of Kansas Medical Center.
I have so many memories of my Sister, Helen. As adults we spent so many happy and fun vacations as couples, Helen and Max and Clete and I. We laughed together about some of our experiences a week before she went home to Jesus, She had wanted this for a long time, and I am at peace knowing she is reunited with the family members who have gone before us.
We will miss our dear, sweet, Aunt Helen! I have many fond memories growing up of her (and Uncle Max, of course!). She was one of the nicest, sweetest, generous, Christ-loving women I have ever known (her Mother and Sister are/were the same~ best family EVER). I told her often that she is the reason I found Jesus, I have a feeling there are many more that can attest to the same 🙂
We will miss her here on this earth but are grateful to know that she is home with Jesus and the rest of her family that has gone on before her.
Looking forward to that family reunion in heaven someday, where we will all rejoice together for eternity. See you on that sea of glass someday AH, I will miss you till then.
Love and hugs to the rest of the family xoxoxo
Jolynn, Steve, and Kaeli
Helen and I moved to Lawrence the same year. It was my great pleasure and privilege to know her. She was an inspiration
My favorite remembrance of Grandma Helen is her sense of humor and her easy ability to laugh. (And also the silliness of her laugh which would start slow and roll into a full rollicking chortle!) A few years ago I sent her a birthday card asking her how she thought she made it this far in life. She wrote back, saying she had no idea why she was still here! “It was either something I did or something I didn’t do!” she said. I’ll never forget that witty retort! It’s a story I’ve shared often. Now that she’s at peace, I hope it is everything she wished for. Love you Grandma!
While I was living in Lawrence I counted Helen among my friends. Tai Chi and Bridge and Welcome Club allowed me to enjoy Helen’s company. She was one special lady.
My grandma was never interested in getting to 100, and when we saw her for her 100th birthday, she certainly didn’t have any interest in getting to 105 or 110. I enjoyed spending time with her, and we documented a lot of family photos and history together in her later years. Perhaps about 40 years ago, we went down the Big Sioux River in Sioux Falls together, which was an adventure. The river was not deep enough for our inflatable boat to get through and I remember dragging the boat through the mud most of the way. . . . using my 10 year old tact and charm, I just constantly reminded her that she was too heavy for our boat. I think she eventually forgave me for that. Just like when that tortuous boat ride came to an end 40 years ago, my grandmother’s life has finally found the peace and rest that she had been anxiously waiting for.
She was my dearest aunt(actually,the only I had). I only saw her 3times in my life ,but each visit was a fond memory. Especiallywhen I was about to have back surgery a d she and Max visited…they were so dear and supportive. They sent a huge stuffed bear to the hospital which was a great comfort! They were a great couple and special people. She had a beautiful full life with a blessed family around her.
My sympathy to the family. Helen was a dear friend and I loved listening to her stories about her life. What an interesting and fun person she was! I enjoyed the time I was honored to spend with her. She will certainly be remembered fondly.
Helen, we will miss you! You made an impression on everyone and anyone who came in contact with you! Your family and friends are in great measure who they are because of your sparkling wit, humor and concern.
Our sympathy to Helen’s dear family.
As a youngster, I remember Max and Helen and how hard they worked to help my parents buy a home big enough for our family with eleven kids. They were a classy couple and always remembered fondly by our mom. Our dad died suddenly shortly after we moved into the house. That old house became a magnet for generations of kids growing up in the cathedral neighborhood of Sioux Falls. Max and Helen were a blessing in our lives.