Alice M. Johnson

Alice Marie (McAnulty) Johnson, 87, of McPherson, KS and formerly of Canton, KS, passed away peacefully on Monday, March 27, 2023, with family by her side at McPherson Hospital.

Alice was born on April 21, 1935, in McPherson, KS, the daughter of Raymond and Mary (Marquis) McAnulty.  After her junior year at McPherson High School, her dad moved the family to Newcastle, Wyoming, where Alice’s mother grew up.  She graduated from Newcastle High School. 

On October 9, 1953, Alice was united in marriage to William “Bill” L. Johnson at the Trinity Lutheran Church, McPherson.  This union was blessed with three children, Steven, Gary, and Janet.  Bill preceded her in death on September 25, 2005.

She was a dedicated member at Trinity Lutheran Church, McPherson, and sang in the church choir.  She participated in the Messiah Oratorio in Lindsborg which included a performance at Carnegie Hall in New York City.  She also served on the board at Bethany Home. 

Along with being a housewife, Alice worked at Alliance Life Insurance Company and retired from Sterling Drug where she was a line supervisor and group leader.  She was a devoted mother and grandmother.  She was a seamstress, often tailoring her own clothing and making shirts for her husband and boys and clothing for Janet. She always had a big vegetable garden and did lots of canning.  She even made and canned her own mincemeat for pies.  She also enjoyed working in her flower beds and going fishing. She refinished all of her antique furniture.  In 1999, she and Bill built their dream  home in the country on some property they purchased after retirement.  After Bill’s passing, Alice remained in her country home for over 15 years and continued helping on the farm.

Survivors include: three children, Steve Johnson and wife, Pat, of McPherson, KS, Gary Johnson of McPherson, KS, and Janet Ortman and husband, Dale, of Moundridge, KS; five grandchildren, Shaun Ortman (Kaitlen), Sara Ortman Smoker (Jason), Parker Johnson (Andrea), Brennan Johnson, and Kolbie Johnson Jacoby (John); ten great-grandchildren; and many extended family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Raymond and Mary McAnulty; husband, Bill Johnson; sister, Phyllis Russell; and brother-in-law, Charles Russell.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM, Thursday, March 30, 2023, at Stockham Family Funeral Home.  The memorial service will be held at 10:30 AM, Friday, March 31, at Trinity Lutheran Church with Rev. Tim Leaf officiating.  Inurnment will follow at McPherson Cemetery.  To view a live stream broadcast of the service, please click on the following link: https://evt.live/memorial-service-for-alice-m-johnson

Memorial donations may be given to Trinity Lutheran Church in care of Stockham Family Funeral Home, 205 North Chestnut, McPherson, KS 67460.