Obituary of Gail Johnson
Reta Gail Johnson “Gail”
April 4, 1943- August 14, 2022
Gail was a special mother, grandma, Sister, Aunt, and above all friend. Gail was born on April 4, 1943, to Reta and Hugh Lauder. She was the second of six children: Merle, Mom, William (who died in infancy), Sheana, Ian, and Janice. Mom grew up in a house built by her grandfather, Scotty Lauder, on a farm which is known as Shellview Sod Farms Ltd. She had many happy memories of her life on the farm. The work may have been hard and the winters cold, but theirs was a family brought up with lots of love, and mom passed on her love of family to all of us.
There was lots of hard work on the farm, and I remember mom telling me their groceries consisted of coffee, sugar, salt, and flour. Everything else they grew, canned, milked and butchered. With a pot belly stove to keep them warm, and a windmill to generate their own electricity, they were like many families, self-sufficient and happy. Mom’s hard work ethic was gleaned from working on the farm and she carried that with her, her entire life. Growing up, there was also time for play, and the Lauder girls chummed with Lindsay boys and Cook and Judy Posty (Judy Posty now Lohmeier) and mom became lifelong friends and our families went on trips together as kids to Disneyland and Hawaii.
Mom graduated from W.P. Sandin Highschool in 1962 and went on to graduate from Secretarial College in PA. After graduation, mom went on to work at Scott International. In 1964 Gail married Don Johnson and they moved to Prince George for work like so many people from the Shellbrook area did. Mom worked in Prince George for a few years until my sister Richelle was born, and it is here when my mom took on her best role: Motherhood. Recently, I was fortunate enough to speak to mom when she was in the hospital, and I told her “Thanks for being such a good mom. “She replied, “it was my best job” and it was!
Mom stayed home and looked after us for the next 16 years and then she went back to work. First to Canarim Investments Corp, then to Hope Heinrich Law Firm, and her final job in Prince George, Woodland Heavy Equipment. In 1999, she decided to move back to Shellbrook and be with her Mom, sisters, brother, and of course my sister Richelle, Scott and Tanner, and Jared. Mom looked forward to watching her two grandson’s tanner and Jared grow up. At the age of 56 years, mom went back to school to take a computer course and upon completion, mom got a job at Crop Insurance in PA until she retired 12 years ago. Wherever mom worked, she always had many friends and was well-liked. During her time living in Shellbrook, she bought her wee house, which she loved, and watched her grandson’s grow up, attending all their ball games, football games and hockey games. Tanner and Jared told me Grandma was their luck charm! Mom was dedicated to her family, and she loved us all so much!
I moved to Scotland and had my kids there and each time mom made the long journey to come and help me. She came to Scotland many more times after that, the last time in 2018. My mom and Richelle came out to surprise us and what a great surprise it was!!
Whenever we came back to Shellbrook to visit my friends Breagha and Callan would put in their baking order of muffins and chocolate chip cookies and mom would happily comply in fact, she had done loads of balking in preparation for me and the kids coming here this summer. Mom had lots of friends, if you were lucky enough to be her friend you would know she was fiercely loyal, funny, kind, and could keep a secret. Mom loved music, all kinds and fun. We will always remember how she made birthdays, Christmas, Easter, Halloween so special for us.
Gail was our mother and our best friend. We will all treasure and hold close to our hearts the wonderful memories our mother Gail shared with us.
Gail is lovingly survived by her daughters and grandchildren, Richelle (Scott) and children, Tanner and Jared; Kim and children, Breagha and Callan; her sisters, Merle, Sheana, and Janice; her brother, Ian; as well as numerous nephews, nieces, and other relatives. Gail is predeceased by her parents, Hugh and Reta Lauder; and her infant brother, William.
There was a Memorial Service held for Gail on August 22, 2022, at 11:00 am at the Shellbrook Seniors Hall, Shellbrook, Saskatchewan with Delores Beaulac as officiant.
For those family and friends that are unable to attend Gail's Memorial, the family wishes to share a video link of Gail's Memorial Service below:
In lieu of tributes, memorial donations may be made in memory of Gail to the Heart & Stroke Foundation.
Arrangements were entrusted to the care of Beau “Lac” Funeral Home & Crematorium, Tammy Smart, Funeral Director, Shellbrook, SK. 306-747-2828.
