Eunice May Johnson

On May 18, 1920, Eunice May Gowens was born to Aaron Gowens and Louise Troutman Gowens on their homestead in southern Meade County, Kansas, 14 miles south of Plains, Kansas. She was 9th of 11 children. Eunice attended West Glendale, a one room school, for 1st through 8th grades. For high school, she drove herself and several neighborhood kids to Plains High School where she graduated in 1939. She was raised in a loving family surrounded by guitar, banjo, harmonica, piano music, and of course singing. On April 14, 1940, she was united in marriage to Glenn Johnson. They settled on a farm in the community. To this union there were two daughters born, Charlotte Jean and Judy Ann. Her family was always her top priority. She kept the cupboard full by growing and canning a large garden, raising and butchering chickens, churning butter, and baking bread to perfection. Eunice always had a love for the outdoors and a strong love for God. She lived her life as an example. The decision to move to Haviland, Kansas for the girls to attend Friends Academy for a Christian education was a big sacrifice. Renting the farm, the family lived in Haviland for 8 years. Returning to the life they loved, in 1962, Eunice and Glenn purchased farm and ranch land in southern Lincoln County Colorado. This began the true love for the prairie. Every evening when the sun started to set, it was "the most beautiful thing she had ever seen." The calmness of their souls put her to rest, as her night prayer always included, "Thank you Lord that it is as well with us, as it is." In 1980, retirement came and Eunice and Glenn moved to Hugo. Her time was filled with attending the grandchildren's school activities, making quilts (winning 1st at the county fair) and embroidering tea towels. Later, her joy was making cookies for the great-grandkids that lived across the alley. She was a daughter of the American Revolution; belonged to the United Methodist Church of Hugo, was president of the UMW, and served on the library board. This also was the period in which the "six pack" was born. What fun they had! The season of her life changed when she took loving care of her husband the last 5 years of his life before his passing on December 10, 2009. She continued to live alone until 2012 when it was time to move into assisted living. She accepted that situation and loved Lincoln Park Living Center. From her room, she moved into her Heavenly Home in Heaven, with grace and dignity on December 11, 2017. She was preceded in death by her husband of 69 years, Glenn, her parents, 7 brothers, and 3 sisters. She is survived by her daughters Charlotte (Gary) Sneed; Judy (Gene) Vick; 4 grandchildren: Bradley, Loreen, Kristen, and Sherry as well as 3 step grandsons: Kelby, Tony, and Leon; 8 great-grandchildren, and 3 step great-grandchildren; as well as nieces and nephews that loved her dearly.