Katherine Elaine (Konnerth) Johnson

Katherine Elaine Johnson, 86, of Elyria, Ohio, passed away peacefully on a sunny Tuesday morning, July 2, 2024, in the comfort of her home of 63 years surrounded by her loving family.

Elaine was born in Lorain, Ohio, on November 17, 1937, the daughter of the late William A. Konnerth and the late Katherine Elizabeth Thompson.

Elaine was baptized at St. John's United Church of Christ in Lorain and confirmed in 1951. She would remain a member of the church for the rest of her life. She was also a 50+ year member of the Alliance of Transylvanian Saxons, Lorain Ladies’ Branch 11 and later Branch 5.

Elaine met John Edward Johnson while she was a student at Clearview High School in Lorain and graduated in 1955. Eager to experience life outside of her hometown, she went to work as a ticket agent for Allegheny Airlines at National Airport in Washington, DC.

Elaine and John were married on March 9, 1957, at Christian Temple in Lorain. In April, John started his service in the US Navy in Norfolk, Virginia, while Elaine continued to work for the airline. She visited John in Norfolk every chance she got. They soon started their family and returned home to Ohio in a marriage that would last 63 years until John’s passing in 2020.

In the years following, she would become the epitome of a devoted and supportive wife to a man who was an adventurous dreamer, and an outstanding mother to four curious, energetic boys. She brought warmth and skill to every aspect of home life, notably as a talented seamstress, cook, and baker, known best for making beautiful birthday and wedding cakes for her family and relatives. Her crunchy chocolate chip cookies were the most beloved gift, and were scrumptiously enjoyed by the lucky recipient at birthday parties and everyone at holiday dinners. 

Throughout her life, Elaine would pursue many interests. She was a Rebman Recreation Ladies League bowler, Lorain Journal newspaper carrier, and a member of several book clubs. To enjoy live theater, she became a RedCoat usher for 32 years at Playhouse Square in Cleveland, volunteering more than 3,000 hours. For years, she enjoyed walks of up to 3 miles and could often be seen walking in her neighborhood. Good luck keeping up if you tried to join her!

Elaine loved to travel with her husband, making trips to Russia, her ancestral homeland of Transylvania, and most recently, Hawaii. She shared adventures with the family on many camping trips and other extensive travels throughout the US, including a 6-week cross-country trip when her sons were young.

Elaine professed to have 32 sweet teeth, and often enjoyed visits to Dairy Queen or a tasty jelly donut! Her green thumb was demonstrated by the wide variety of plants she tended in the yard and inside her home, which also was lovingly decorated with a motif of her favorite fruit – strawberries. She enjoyed hosting evenings in her home with her Clearview Club friends which, after 69 years, remarkably continue to meet once a month for lunch. When John wanted to invest in rental properties, she was no stranger to the hard work of scrubbing, painting, and record keeping in preparation for renting.

As an avid reader, theater patron, and lifelong learner, she was quick to impart wisdom gathered over the years, often sharing such proverbs as: “Momentum is everything,” “Pay attention,” and “Use it or lose it.” She valued each moment with her family, and encouraged them to treasure every day, and displayed a piece of artwork that read “Yesterday’s the Past. Tomorrow’s the Future. But today is a Gift, that’s why it’s called the Present. Treasure your Gift.”

Elaine is survived by sons John E. Johnson, Jr. of Cleveland, Michael W. Johnson of Lakewood, Christopher A. Johnson of Cleveland, and Timothy G. (Kelly Saegert deceased) Johnson of Cleveland; grandchildren Benjamin M. (Julie) Johnson, Levi R. (Angela) Johnson, Juliana M. (Nick) Piller, and Katherine Johnson (Ethan) Koop; great grandchildren Fox M. Johnson, Phoenix C. Johnson and Violet Elaine Piller; and sisters Karen (Wayne deceased) Cassidy of Lorain and Nancy (Scott) Kranstuber of Leroy.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband John E. Johnson in 2020 and brother Jerry A. Strickler of Elyria.

Friends may visit on Monday, July 8, 2024, 2:00 - 6:00pm in the sanctuary of St. John’s United Church of Christ, 715 Reid Avenue, Lorain.

A funeral service will follow at 6:00pm in the church sanctuary, with the Rev. David Rogers officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial contributions be made to one of Elaine’s favorite local charities, the Friendship Animal Protective League of Lorain County (www.friendshipapl.org).The family would like to express their gratitude to Hospice of the Western Reserve.

The staff at Boyer & Cool Home For Funerals is honored to serve the Johnson family.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Katherine Elaine (Konnerth) Johnson, please visit our floral store.