RUTH ANN HEIDER JOHNSON
Ruth Ann Heider Johnson passed away peacefully in her sleep on February 3, 2012 after battling cancer for 2 1/2 years. She was born on a little farm in a house without electricity or running water in Orange Grove, Texas on April 14, 1937. Education was of utmost importance to Ruth. She was valedictorian at Orange Grove High School, earned a B.A. in only 3 years from Texas State University, San Marcus, and a Masters of Education from the University of Nevada, Reno. Ruth was an advocate for good public education and served as a teacher for 41 years in Hawaii, Illinois and Nevada, teaching in the D.O.E. at Nimitz and Kahala Elementary Schools for 32 years. In 1992, Ruth was selected as "Teacher of the Year" for the Honolulu District.
Ruth was a woman of faith, leaving her home and family in Texas to support her husband through four years of Lutheran seminary in Illinois then 37 years of ministry in Nevada and Hawaii.
She was a pillar of strength, hope, love and compassion for her family, instilling her values of love of God, faithful living, excellence in public education and community service deeply into her children and grandchildren. Her passion for life and advocacy for excellence in education, inspired her children, grandchildren, and thousands of students to achieve and serve to their greatest potential. After retirement from the D.O.E. she used her gifts as an Executive Board member of the Windward Artists Guild.
Ruth is survived by her husband the Reverend Dr. Donald K. Johnson; sons Mark (and wife Pamela) of Kent, WA; Daniel (and wife Joycelyn) of Kaneohe; and Jonathan (and wife Monica) of Kaneohe; nine grandchildren, sister Adelaide (and husband John) of Rockport, TX; and Donald Ray (and wife Janis) of Spring, TX.
Memorial services will be held on Sunday, February 19, 2012, at 2 pm at the Lutheran Church of Honolulu, 1730 Punahou Street.
In lieu of flowers, gifts can be made to educational charities including the Lutheran Church of Honolulu Associate Pastor for Children and Families Fund, the Windward Artists Guild Scholarship Fund, or to a charity of the donor's choice, including any public school, as Ruth was known to do.
RUTH ANN HEIDER JOHNSON
Ruth Ann Heider Johnson passed away peacefully in her sleep on February 3, 2012 after battling cancer for 2 1/2 years. She was born on a little farm in a house without electricity or running water in Orange Grove, Texas on April 14, 1937. Education was of utmost importance to Ruth. She was valedictorian at Orange Grove High School, earned a B.A. in only 3 years from Texas State University, San Marcus, and a Masters of Education from the University of Nevada, Reno. Ruth was an advocate for good public education and served as a teacher for 41 years in Hawaii, Illinois and Nevada, teaching in the D.O.E. at Nimitz and Kahala Elementary Schools for 32 years. In 1992, Ruth was selected as "Teacher of the Year" for the Honolulu District.
Ruth was a woman of faith, leaving her home and family in Texas to support her husband through four years of Lutheran seminary in Illinois then 37 years of ministry in Nevada and Hawaii.
She was a pillar of strength, hope, love and compassion for her family, instilling her values of love of God, faithful living, excellence in public education and community service deeply into her children and grandchildren. Her passion for life and advocacy for excellence in education, inspired her children, grandchildren, and thousands of students to achieve and serve to their greatest potential. After retirement from the D.O.E. she used her gifts as an Executive Board member of the Windward Artists Guild.
Ruth is survived by her husband the Reverend Dr. Donald K. Johnson; sons Mark (and wife Pamela) of Kent, WA; Daniel (and wife Joycelyn) of Kaneohe; and Jonathan (and wife Monica) of Kaneohe; nine grandchildren, sister Adelaide (and husband John) of Rockport, TX; and Donald Ray (and wife Janis) of Spring, TX.
Memorial services will be held on Sunday, February 19, 2012, at 2 pm at the Lutheran Church of Honolulu, 1730 Punahou Street.
In lieu of flowers, gifts can be made to educational charities including the Lutheran Church of Honolulu Associate Pastor for Children and Families Fund, the Windward Artists Guild Scholarship Fund, or to a charity of the donor's choice, including any public school, as Ruth was known to do.Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased
