Jill Donnan Johnson
Jill Donnan Johnson fought hard with an optimistic and cheery attitude, but unfortunately lost the battle against cancer on Dec. 6, 2016, at Sacred Heart Hospital in Spokane, Wash.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Dec. 17, 2016, at First Christian Church, 201 N. Division Ave., in Sandpoint, Idaho. A potluck gathering for friends and family will follow there.
Jill was born during a wintery day on Jan. 14, 1962, to Donald L. and Nancy M. Johnson of Sandpoint. Her early years were spent tagging along with her older brothers, Brian and Arnold. Those days were spent catching tadpoles, riding bikes, go carts, and riding the family pony, on the family farm in Oden. Jill was the only one to survive the stubborn pony and soon the boys moved on to motorcycles. Of course, Jill didn’t want to be left behind so she was soon riding her own Yamaha 60 motorcycle.
Jill’s elementary school years were spent at Hope School where many lifelong friendships developed. She attended Sandpoint High School, graduating in 1980. Those fun filled years were spent playing basketball, and marching in the SHS Drill Team, “The Ponderettes.” Her summers were spent riding her horse, playing softball and working at Dubs. Her senior year she worked for Dr. Neuder in his dental office.
After high school Jill attended the University of Idaho for a period of time, before meeting and marrying Jeff Romans. His career took them to Spokane, where the ever-social Jill began developing many new friendships. Once again, she worked in a dental office for several years before starting work at Baker Builders. After her marriage ended she moved to a property that accommodated animals, and her lifetime love of horses was rekindled.
For many years, Jill and her horse loving friends traveled to various events throughout the Northwest, including horse riding clinics, futurities, and shows, as well as the NFR. During this time, she met Brian Blank of Oaksdale, Wash. He was one of the great loves of her life. Brian suddenly passed away from a heart condition and Jill left that community shortly afterward, settling in the Colbert, Wash., area, where she resided at the time of her passing.
After several years, she married Donald P. Johnson of Elk, Wash. Donald had a small farm with quite an assortment of animals which Jill loved being a part of, and of course there were still horses. That marriage ended after Jill’s first victorious fight with leukemia.
Jill was employed by McKinlay & Peters Equine Hospital in Spokane. Her clients, co-workers and bosses became extended family to her in this job, as well as others.
Throughout Jill’s life, the one most powerful connection was to her family. She dearly loved her Johnson family and coming home to Sandpoint. She loved being an aunt. She attended every event that was important to Nicholas or Christina and soon she became known as Auntie Jill to their friends as well.
In August, she became engaged to Ted Bahr of Boise. Ted was a friend from her college days. Their time together was cut way too short.
The family suggests that memorial may be made to the Oden Busy Bees, 3465 Sunnyside Road, Sandpoint, ID 83864 or the American Cancer Society.
Jill is survived by her father, Donald; her brothers, Brian (Loretta) and Arnold (Sandra); her nieces and nephews, Nicholas, Matthew (Kelcey), Shauna, Christina and Madison; her fiancé, Ted Bahr; her aunt, Betty Csorsz; her uncle, Robert Johnson; her uncle, Ron Hackworth; and numerous cousins and hundreds of friends of whom she all loved.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Nancy Johnson; and her grandparents, Arvid, Rose and Nona Johnson, and Betty and Ted Englert.
Family and friends are invited to sign Jill’s online guest book at www.coffeltfuneral.com
Arrangements are under the care of Coffelt Funeral Service of Sandpoint.