Delores Marie Johnson (Keopke), 87

Delores Marie Johnson (Keopke), born on Nov. 25, 1932, in Joplin, Mo., passed away in the early morning hours on Feb. 24, 2020, at 87 years old, in Spokane, Wash. due to natural causes associated with dementia.

Delores was raised by her parents, Jesse Keopke (deceased 1979) and Edith Mae Lewis (deceased 1998). At the age of 13 she moved with her family, including her sister, Lena Mae Keopke (deceased 2018) and brother, Leroy Keopke (deceased 2011) to Ione, Wash. A few short years later she met Lloyd Harvey Johnson. They were married Oct. 1, 1949. They had six children, all while traveling the world together and while Lloyd was in the Air Force. They lived in France, Germany, Iran, Labrador and a number of places throughout America, to name a few.

They ended up settling in the Coeur d’Alene and Post Falls areas; close enough to family in Ione so they could still make the trip out for family dinners and the holidays. They were a true team. Lloyd retired from the Air Force and went on to work in the Forest Service while Delores stayed home and ran the house and raised the children.

One of the secrets to their long marriage was that they both tried to take an interest in what the other enjoyed doing. An example of this is how Delores developed a love for fishing. She may have gone that first time not really wanting to go, but by the end she was hooked. Another place you could always find Lloyd and Dee was on the dance floor. They loved music and dancing, preferably the jitterbug.

In 1997 they lost their son, Michael H. Johnson, due to complications from Type-1 diabetes. Lloyd and Dee were married nearly 59 years when Lloyd passed away. Shortly after, Dee moved to Spokane to be closer to her sister, Lena, and spent many years continuing to laugh, dance and find good deals where ever she could (she was never one to pass up a good yard sale).

Around 2010, Delores quickly developed dementia and soon was unable to live on her own. A few of her children took turns caring for her. She found a wonderful caring facility, Autumn Years Senior Living, and there she remained until her death. She was known by all there to be the happiest person, always quick to smile and brighten their day.

She is survived by her remaining children Norman Johnson, Richard Johnson, Alan Johnson, Sondra Zehm and Deeann Watson; by 19 grandchildren and many, many great-grandchildren. She is greatly missed by all.