N. Kathleen (Lyon) Johnson

Naomi Kathleen “Kitty” Johnson, 88, passed away peacefully March 15, 2023, in Spanish Fork, Utah. Kitty was born January 22, 1935, in North Ogden, Utah to George Albert Lyon and Edna Caroline Berrett. She married Eugene Menzies Johnson on September 24, 1954, in the Salt Lake City LDS Temple. He preceded her in death on March 22, 2013.

Kitty had a love for creating. She loved watercolor painting; making clothes for herself and family; crocheting; and knitting. She loved gardening and always ensured her yard was immaculate and beautiful. Reading was a pastime for Kitty as she loved to study various Gospel literature from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She was always excited to share what she was learning from her latest books.

She graduated from Logan High School in 1953 where she was valedictorian of her class. She attended Brigham Young University where she met her future husband. After their marriage, they lived in Orem before moving to Springville. Eugene and her hit it off with several other young couples in town, eventually forming a group called The Drifters. This group met monthly and vacationed together during the summers. While many members have since passed away, Kitty regularly attended socials up to the time of her death.

Kitty was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served as a Young Women President, Gospel Doctrine Teacher, and in multiple Relief Society Presidencies. Kitty and Eugene served as missionaries in both the canary and the BYU Genealogical Library. Kitty loved and served others throughout her life. She was always making dinner for someone and provided monetary support for countless missionaries.

Kitty loved traveling, especially with family and friends. She and Gene traveled all over Utah with her lifelong friends the Davises. She also ventured all over the U.S. with family and friends as well as trekking outside the country. A highlight for her was traveling to Israel and visiting Bible sites. Kitty loved her nieces and nephews, often opening her home to them and offering a place to stay when needed. She also dearly loved all of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and enjoyed getting to know each and every one. She used her crocheting skills to make afghan blankets for all of her granddaughters and made numerous quilts for many other family members.

Kitty is survived by her three sons Marty Johnson, Dell (Cynthia) Johnson, and Timothy (Brenda) Johnson all of Springville, Utah; daughter-in-law Ann Johnson of Payson, Utah; 18 grandchildren; and 23 great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband Eugene Menzies Johnson; her son Jeffrey Johnson; and all six of her siblings.

A special thanks to her son, Marty, who has lived with Kitty for the past 5 years, which made it possible for her to live in her home until the time of her passing.

Funeral services will be held Monday, March 20th at the Spring Creek 9th Ward chapel at 55 N. Main St. Springville.  A viewing will take place Sunday evening from 6-8 p.m. at Wheeler Mortuary, 211 E. 200 South in Springville, Utah, and again from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the church. Burial will take place at Springville Evergreen Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Primary Children’s Hospital.

Condolences for the family may be expressed on this page.