Rowena Fredricka Johnson

05/16/1930 to 01/20/2023

Rowena F. Johnson passed away peacefully at home in Boulder on January 20th. She was 92.

The youngest child of Oscar and Hildur Samuelson, she grew up on her family’s farm near Oakland, Nebraska with her five older brothers; Mike, Sam, Ed, Leroy and Ray. In 1953 she graduated from Immanuel College in nursing and moved to Pueblo with her retired parents.

Working at Park View Hospital in Pueblo, she met her future husband Paul R. Johnson. He was one of her patients!  They married in 1954 and lived in Pueblo, Denver, and Bethesda MD, prior to settling in Boulder in 1961 to raise their four children.      

Rowena worked more than 20 years at Memorial and Avista Hospitals. She was the manager of the Central Supply Department. A busy parent, she enjoyed volunteering at school and for both the boy scouts and girl scouts. Music events and her church were her passions.  As a member of the First Congregational Church for over 50 years, she was involved in Crop Walk, Widows club, PEO, the interfaith council and numerous other groups.  She volunteered as an usher for the Colorado Music Festival for many years and she enjoyed attending music concerts at CU and regional theater productions with her friends. An avid outdoors person, she was a cross country skier and a hiker. Rowena was very active in the Rocky Mountain Climbers Club. She developed a large group of life-long friends through all of her activities.  

Rowena traveled internationally to many countries after Paul’s death in 1988. Curiosity about her Swedish heritage led her to Sweden many times where she discovered distant relatives, as well as new friends. While in Sweden she met Gosta Andersson, who became her loving companion.  Rowena and Gosta spent many years together splitting time between their homes in Boulder and Sweden and touring throughout Europe.

Rowena lived a life full of adventure and love.  She was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers, her husband, and Gosta.  She is survived by her children Deborah (Stan), Geoffrey, Kristen (Dale) and Carter. Rowena is also survived by four grandchildren Stephanie (Jeremy), Vanessa (Justin), Hannah (Tim) and Tanner, as well as 9 great grandchildren.   

A memorial service will be held June 10th, 2023 at First Congregational Church in Boulder.  

In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to Boulder Emergency Family Assistance Association (EFAA) or Boulder County Community Food Share.  

 

Services

A memorial service will be held June 10th, 2023 at First Congregational Church in Boulder. 

Cemetery

None

Location

None

Church

None

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