Gladys E. (Collinson) Johnson

    It is with heavy hearts that the family of Mrs. Gladys Johnson, beloved wife of the late George Johnson, of Preeceville, announce her passing at the Wynyard Nursing Home on Tuesday, September 9th, at the age of 82. Gladys Elizabeth Johnson (nee Collinson) was born February 27, 1943 to Jack and Mary Collinson (nee McIntyre). Gladys grew up on a farm in the Endeavour district along with her four siblings: John, Allan, Lillian and Agnes. She attended a rural school in the area until Grade 8. Her memories of the farm always included a lot of laughter, but lots and lots of work.  

    When she was a teenager, she started to work for a family outside of the Endeavour area, but shortly returned home. She met an eligible bachelor from a nearby farm, as the story goes – George Johnson and they were married August 24, 1962. They lived for a number of years with George’s parents, Oliver and Doris Johnson, on the family farm east of Usherville. During this time, three children were born and the family grew:  Valerie (1963), Lloyd (1965), and Norman (1966).   Also, her immediate family of siblings grew – her father had passed away in 1958 and her mother later married Bert Olmstead.  Gladys gained a wonderful step-father, and five more brothers and sisters (Anne, Florence, Ruby, Roy and Albert).

    In 1967, Oliver and Dora sold the farm and everyone moved to Preeceville to begin the next chapter of their lives. George and Gladys bought their home on a street right by the Preeceville school which worked out very well as their family continued to grow:   Donna, the second daughter, was born in 1968 and Dennis, the third son, was born in 1972.  

    Gladys became very busy raising her family. George worked with the Department of Highways until an unfortunate work accident. After that, they simply worked hard together to ensure that the family always had enough. A special family member whom Gladys always felt so fortunate to have was her grandmother. She was known as Grandma Phillips, or Granny to some. She would visit Gladys, and they would spend a lot of time quilting, sewing, braiding rugs and just being together.

    The children grew up and moved away and Gladys and George continued to live in the same home–enjoying their time with friends and family. Also, during that time, a grandchild was born – Derek (1986).

    George passed away in 1996, and Gladys, then faced another chapter of her life. She started to work at a local restaurant (Preeceville Century House). She enjoyed her time there and loved the connection with people. Gladys was a people person and enjoyed socializing – enjoying every opportunity to be with friends and family. She was quick to laugh and joke with others and always willing to lend a hand. She was also a member of the Preeceville Legion Auxiliary branch, and she helped with many, many events. These were memories she cherished and talked about them with immense pride.

    Her interests were many – gardening, baking, bingo, sewing, latch-hooking, road trips (especially with her kids, her sister Anne or her Mom), and just simply visiting. Her family always talks about one of her interests they loved – her baking– donuts, pies, cakes, cookies, and the list goes on. She also loved music – just to listen to or to dance to – Ukrainian music and old-time country music. 

    For the past five years, she battled with several health issues and could no longer live independently. Gladys moved out of her home December, 2020, a home she had been in for 53 years. She moved to the Preeceville Care Home and lived there until the fall of 2023. At that point as a result of her health continuing to decline, she moved to the Wynyard Nursing Home (Gold House). Even though she had absolutely tremendous care, and loved her time and the people at both places, she always wanted to go home as she had “work to do” she said. Even on the last day, she told the nurses “I am going home today.” With heavy hearts, yes, she did go home.

    She was full of life, a busy lady who had a great life. A life which had so many cherished moments, but also a life with many challenges and struggles. All of this was faced with love, humor, and a determination to keep going.

    Gladys is predeceased by her husband, George Johnson; daughter, Donna Marie; mother, Mary Olmstead; father, Jack Collinson; step-father, Bert Olmstead; mother-in-law, Doris Johnson and father-in-law, Oliver Johnson; sisters, Agnes Strijack and Ruby Olmstead; sister-in-law, Delores Wiwcharuk; brothers-in-law, John Wiwcharuk, Bill Gardner and Victor Strijack.

    Left to celebrate her memory are her children  Valerie (Guy) Gendreau (Yorkton), Lloyd Johnson (Edmonton), Norman Johnson (Preeceville), Dennis (Patricia) Johnson (Saskatoon); her grandson Derek (Cynthia) Lozinski (Yorkton); her siblings Lillian Gardner, Allan (Navy) Collinson, John (Charlene) Collinson, Ann (Mitch) Norman, Florence (Warren) Kozushka, Roy Olmstead and Albert Olmstead; and many nieces and nephews along with many other relatives and friends.

    We would like to thank the Preeceville Care Home and the Wynyard Nursing Home for the tremendous care our mother received. Also, we wish to send a thank you and share our gratitude to the Preeceville Funeral Home, the Trinity United Church and Reverend David Mugadzi, the TUC Choir, and pianist Barb Kaziuk, and the TUC Ladies for preparing the lunch for Mom’s funeral.

    The Funeral Service was held on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, from Trinity United Church, in Preeceville, with Reverend David Mugadzi officiating. Interment followed at the Preeceville Community Cemetery with Ray Case, Dennis Johnson, Harvey Karcha, Derek Lozinski, Mitchell Norman and Albert Olmstead serving as casket bearers.

    Memorial donations may be made to Preeceville Personal Care Home (Box 1150, Preeceville, SK, S0A 3B0) as gifts of remembrance.

    Arrangements were entrusted to Preeceville Funeral Home.