Volume XXVIII Issue XI The Ogden Valley News Page 7 April 15, 2021 Announcements Obituaries Patti Buehler Johanson Our beautiful, kind, radiant, mother Patti Buehler Johanson passed away peacefully with loved ones by her side on Monday, March 29, 2021 at the age of 86. She had an active and independent Patti Johanson life until she suffered the effects of a sudden stroke. Born in Ogden, Utah on January 27, 1935, Patti was the first of four children born to J. Clyde and Eleanor Stevens Buehler. She was nurtured in a loving home with amazing parents and siblings whose bond remained strong her entire life. She graduated from Ogden High where she made many lifetime friends. For years one of her greatest joys in life was serving on reunion planning committees and the gathering of old friends. She had wonderful memories of her early, formative years. After graduating from high school, Patti moved to Logan and attended Utah State University. There she met Carl Gibbs (“Skip”) Nelson. The couple soon married, on July 10, 1953, in the Logan Temple. Skip joined the Air Force and they were stationed in Spokane, Washington at Fairchild Airforce Base. It was during that time they welcomed their first two daughters, Catherine (Cathi) and Jana, into their lives. After leaving the Air Force, the little family returned to Logan and Patti gave birth to another daughter, Peggy, who died in infancy. Soon after, they had their fourth child, a son—Carl Darwin, (Dar). She was a fabulous, devoted mother who made sure her children knew they were loved and well cared for every day of their lives. After their divorce, Patti moved back to Ogden to be close to family and to start a new life with her children. Her children were her number one priority and she sacrificed everything for them. She spent her life teaching them unconditional love, to work hard, and to always be their best. For over 20 years she worked as an assistant and office manager in several doctor’s offices and as the head secretary and assistant at Blaine Wadman Corporation. She was a master organizer and the model of efficiency and energy in everything she did. It was during those years she met Norris Gail Johanson, (“Norrie”), and they were married December 11, 1970. They were later sealed in the Bountiful Temple in March of 2000. She openly welcomed Norrie’s daughter Elise, which made their family complete. Patti and Norrie had a wonderful life together for almost 50 years. She was a loyal, devoted wife. Norrie was an owner of Patio Springs Country Club in Eden [now Wolf Creek], and they had a fun-filled social life with many friends. They were active members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many capacities. Patti would often say that her Primary callings were her favorite and she kept in contact with many children she taught. She and Norrie also served a mission in the LDS Dry Pack Cannery and once again she utilized her inherent organization skills to keep production of food storage and the coordinating of countless volunteers running at the highest degree of efficiency. They also served for many years as ordinance workers and shift coordinators at the Bountiful Temple; a calling they loved. She had an amazing positive outlook on life. She ALWAYS had a radiant, beaming smile and joyous laugh that was contagious. She was fun, funny, smart, wise, and loyal. There simply aren’t enough happy words to describe her because she was always happy. She was loved and adored by everyone who knew her. She was particularly proud of her beautiful, growing family, and her grandchildren were everything to her. She never missed a birthday, and made holidays, especially Christmas, unforgettable. She carefully wrapped amazing, beautiful gifts for each of her nearly 70 family members each year. Family was everything to Patti, but friends were also very important. She never had an unkind thing to say about anyone and would make friends everywhere she went. Her friendships knew no boundaries and lasted a lifetime. Patti is survived by children who adore her Cathi Howes (Dean), Jana Nielsen, Dar Nelson (Brooke), Elise Peixoto (Dave), 16 grandchildren, and 34 great-grandchildren, her sister Nan Smith (Arnie), a brother Scott Buehler (Kelly), and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Norris Johanson, parents, Clyde and Eleanor Buehler, a brother Joe Buehler, her daughter Peggy, son-in-law Paul Nielsen, and Tanner Nelson and infant grandson. What a joyous heavenly reunion this must be. Funeral services were held Monday, April 5, 2021 at Lindquist’s Layton Mortuary, 1867 N. Fairfield Road. Interment followed at Lindquist Washington Heights Memorial Park, 4500 Washington Blvd, Ogden. Condolences may be shared at <www. lindquistmortuary.com> Donald Russell August 3, 1955 ~ April 6, 2021 Donald Ray Russell passed away unexpectedly on April 6, 2021 in his home, getting ready to do one of his life passions—teach skiing. He was born in Ogden, Utah August 3, 1955. He grew up in the mouth of Donald Russell Ogden Canyon and loved to play in the foothills. If you could smell a skunk, there would be tomato juice waiting for him on the back porch because he was sure to have been sprayed. He graduated from Ben Lomond High School in 1973. Don then served an LDS Mission to the Spokane Washington/Coeur d’Alene Idaho area where he made lifelong companions. Don’s life was full of passion. He was an excellent salesman because he believed whole heartly in everything he did. He sold everything from tires to houses. If you ever bought either from him, you know that to be true. He had a love for the outdoors. He rode in the Weber Country Mounted Sheriff’s Posse for six years, which assisted in search and rescues, riding in parades, and rodeo entertainment. He was president of the Ogden four-wheel drive club. Don shared his love of skiing with others through teaching. He was a member of the PSIA ski organization for 40 years. He spent most of his years instructing at Deer Valley, but he was also the director at Nordic Valley, ran the kids’ program at Powder Mountain, and most recently taught at Snowbasin. BUSINESSES cont. from page 1 18% of Americans who have a disability are employed (https://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/ disabl.pdf). In contrast, one can find that Ogden Valley businesses employ people in our community who have a disability. Sara loved working for a summer at Valley Market, and has had her own booth at the Ogden Valley Farmer’s Market, where she sold Honey Whole Wheat bread and a special Swiss bread as part of her bread business—Simply Swiss, which she started in 2010. Hiring individuals with disabilities does not come without some extra considerations; however, it is not always the disability that complicates things. Sara’s sister observed, “Doing life alongside Sara makes me hyper aware of my own insecurities and weaknesses, which can be uncomfortable. My first response is to blame issues on her disability, but with a little extra introspection, I realize I need to be more compassionate and He was always teaching. He taught his children to love horses, camping, skiing, and life as much as he did. He also was a firm believer in leading by example. He overcame many obstacles in his life, including near-death experiences and alcoholism. He had 17 years of sobriety. Don spent these years in the addiction/recovery programs helping others on their journey to sobriety. He had three previous marriages before marrying and later becoming sealed to Terri and her (which became his) daughter Abby. All his passions and experiences increased his spirituality. He loved being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ, and his Savior. His biggest passion in life was his kids and his grandkids. He was happiest when spending time with them. He loved to tease and make others laugh. To know him and be accepted by him meant you were family. Don was preceded in death by his mother, LaVon Johnson Russell; father, Raymond Edgar Russell; and brother, John Walton Russell. He is survived by his wife, Terri Lain Russell; son, Jared (Jessica) Russell; daughters, ShaNae (Zack) Blaisdell, Amy (Kevin) Coleman, Abby (Kelten) Christensen, Aerena (Justin) Lord, Andrea Lain, and Angela (Paul) Bonser-Lain; sisters, Gail (Doug) McNeely, Cheryl (Lyman) Stoker, Ann (Bruce) Cheney, and LaRae (Warren) Russell; brother, Shawn (Jaime) Russell; and 12 grandkids and 3 great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held Saturday, April 10, 2021 at Lindquist’s North Ogden Mortuary, 2140 N. Washington Blvd. Interment, Lindquist’s Washington Heights Memorial Park, 4500 Washington Blvd. Condolences may be shared with the family at <www.lindquistmortuary.com> patient in order to make things work.” She continued, “This leads me to be a better person. For the same reason, communities improve when we include people who have disabilities.” Hiring Sara to work at Eats of Eden shows the restaurant’s commitment to building the Ogden Valley community. Gandhi said, “Our ability to reach unity in diversity will be the beauty and the test of our civilization.” When individuals, families, and businesses work to build unity by embracing diversity, the community, as a whole, experiences a deeper sense of humanity, purpose and love. Lauren added, “My life is constantly enriched by the individuals I work with.” Cheers to Eats of Eden, Valley Market and other Ogden Valley businesses for giving space to those in our community who may otherwise feel sidelined by differences! When asked for a quote for this article, Sara responded with a smile, “I don’t have time to talk; I need to be on time to work. I have a life.”