Carol Fischer Johnson

Carol Fischer Johnson was born in Trail City, South Dakota on September 20, 1929, the 10th of 13 children of Joseph and Eva Lacher Fischer.

She lived in Yakima where she worked numerous jobs, including one at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in the kitchen. She met her lifelong love, George Johnson and they married on May 5, 1956, at St. Paul’s Cathedral. They moved their growing family to Sunnyside in the summer of 1960. Carol was proud to call herself a homemaker, and she did that career in the truest sense of the name. She made her house a place of welcome and warmth, a hub of joy and creativity and that neighborhood playground. Everyone that came was treated like family. That trait of hospitality continued throughout her life, opening her home to numerous people needing a temporary place to live. She loved to cook, bake and create. Even while doing all this for her family, she found time to be a Studio Girl Cosmetic Consultant and to sell Cameo Art Paints. Carol never sat still, even while working with her spouse to redesign, rebuild and landscape their home, she stayed active with her kids’ activities. She worked with an Ecumenical Youth Group, St. Joseph’s CYO, a Cub Scout leader and a Campfire leader for many years. She also involved herself in the community, working with the American Cancer Society, March of Dimes, Sunnyside Museum, Eagles, and the city and county elections. She worked actively in St. Joseph Parish as a catechist, youth minister, parish council member, Eucharistic minister and parish historian. For many years Carol did a weekly Communion service at both local Nursing Homes. In the midst of all her activities she opened her own business, Creations by Carol, which she ran from her home. She started with cold ceramics and candles and moved into silk flower arranging. From there she grew her business into wedding and quinceañera flowers and bouquets, wall hangings and table bouquets. She designed and created Nativity figures with draped materials. She also loved to sew and as part of that cut thousands of squares for quilts and made many blankets for family, friends and sale. Even when she would sit down to rest or watch a TV show she wasn’t still, she would be crocheting, something she did for over 80 years. She made baby clothes, booties, tablecloths, doilies, specialty items, but her favorite was to create an afghan. She made hundreds of afghans, from crib size to king size, from plain to wall hanging. She would put hundreds of hours into an afghan and someone would admire it, she would smile at them and hand it to them with a hug. She made well over a hundred.

Her Catholic faith was always important to her, but in 1974 Carol had an experience that created a fire in her heart that continued to grow and glow until the day she left us. These are her words,

“Then, came 1974, a notice in the bulletin: “Do you want to know more about your faith?” WOW, I was ready. A blessed Abbot Gereats from Pecos came to Sunnyside and baptized us in the Holy Spirit. The same as was done in the Bible. My life has not been the same since. My precious Jesus came to visit me, told me He loved me, and the Holy Spirit blessed me with His gifts, just as happened to the Apostles.”

From that experience was born the prayer group that began to meet at their home once a week to pray together and talk about Scripture. This group which ranged from five to fifty gathered for the next 45 years with Carol leading them in listening to God speaking and drawing them closer to his Son, Jesus. During this time Carol wrote a book called “God Speaks to Us” that compiled the words she had heard spoken to her. The book was printed in both English and Spanish so that all her brothers and sisters could share in the blessings.

Carol flew away with the angels on February 21 at her home. Her legacy lives on with her spouse, George, children, NonaRae (Jim) Robinson, Michelle (Rolin) Heytvelt, Roxanne Johnson, Jeffrey (Lisa) Johnson, and Timothy (Don) Johnson. Also, ten grandchildren, twenty great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her brothers Al Fischer and Mike (Barb) Fischer. She was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, and eight brothers, a grandson, and a great granddaughter.

We will miss you, but in your words, “Joys, laughs, oh, the wonder of the Lord. Hooray for Jesus. My own true Love.”

Viewing will be held March 3, 2023, from noon to 4 p.m. with Rosary following at approximately 4:30 p.m., at Valley Hills Funeral Home, 531 S. 16th St., Sunnyside. Funeral mass will be held March 4, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 907 S. 6th St., Sunnyside, with a luncheon at St. Joseph Gym following graveside service.

In lieu of flowers we ask for donations to Heartlinks (Washington State Hospice & Palliative Care) or to the charity of your choice.