Sandra C. Johnson Parks, 84

Sandra passed away peacefully at home April 16, 2026, after a yearlong battle with pancreatic cancer. She lived a life full of love, grace and faith. 

Sandra was born Sandra Clarice Pabst on Nov. 29, 1941, to Walter William Pabst and Clarice Joyce Pabst in Wallace, Idaho. She was joined by her brother, Rob Roy Pabst, in 1946. Sandra was educated at Our Lady of Lourdes Academy in Wallace. 

In 1957, Sandra married Ralph Eugene (Gene) Johnson. They had three sons by the time she was 19. Robert William (Bill) Johnson, Craig Eugene Johnson and Scott Alan Johnson. Raising these three rambunctious boys tested her patience and mothering abilities, but she passed with flying colors. Gene spent many years as a silver miner and later joined the construction business, building homes with Walter and Walter’s brother Barney Pabst. Sandra had a successful business selling Tupperware. During this time, she acquired the name “Honey,” by which she is known to all grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Gene would ask, “Honey, could you get me a sandwich?” The littles figured that was her name, and Sandra acquired the perfectly fitting nickname.

Later, Sandra acquired a commercial driver’s license so she could join Gene in long-haul trucking from coast to coast.

After Gene retired, he and Sandra moved to Cave Creek, Ariz., where she began a career at Safeway and he became the house husband, cooking dinners and participating in the management of the household. Gene died Dec. 31, 1996.  

In 1999, Sandra married Keith Parks, and they have made their home in Sun City, Ariz., ever since. They have enjoyed many road trips together, some with Rob and his wife, Pat, including a special one to Alaska to visit all the Alaska relatives and see the sights.  

One of the highlights of Sandra’s later years was making an overseas trip with Pat, her niece, Alison, and her granddaughter, Miranda, to London, Paris and Germany. This arose from a surprise invitation from the German relatives on the Pabst side to attend the 270th year celebration of the Pabst family homestead and farm in Dettum, Germany. Sandra’s German relatives have visited here twice since then. 

Sandra was predeceased by her infant sister, Mary Sheryl; her father, Walter; her mother, Clarice; and her husband, Gene. She is survived by her husband, Keith; her three sons, Bill and his wife, Heather; Craig and his wife, Frances; Scott and his wife, Dody; and her brother, Rob (Pat). She was blessed with seven grandchildren: Sheena Johnson (Kevin), Miranda Wallstrum (Chris), Dwight Johnson (Kate), Scott Johnson Jr. (Cassandra), Dan Johnson (Amy), Stacie Weitzel (Andy), and Hayden Johnson (Tiffany). She also has 15 great-grandchildren: Mason, Claire, Sawyer, Reid, Nash, Blaine, Nora, Cameron, Jude, Quinn, McKenna, Madden, Reeve, Sawyer and Ezra. Additionally, she is survived by Keith’s daughter, Lori Flores, and her three children, Dani, Ronni and Esten, as well as Rob’s two daughters, Meridee (Dave) and Alison, and granddaughter Lainey. 

Sandra was so fortunate to have such a large and loving family. Family was everything to her. She made it to every one of her grandchildren’s weddings and enjoyed many years of getaways with family and friends at their rustic cabin near Thompson Falls, Mont.

The family would like to recognize and thank Bill and Heather, who live in Sun City, for being health care advocates, chefs and personal assistants for the past year, bringing Sandra extra happiness by hosting and entertaining dozens of family members and friends who have visited during her final months.  

The funeral mass will be at 10 a.m. May 1 at St. Clement of Rome Catholic Church in Sun City, Ariz. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital or other cancer research organizations.