Margie Floi Johnson passed away February 6th, 2022 at Salina Reginal Medical Center following surgical complications for cancer.
Margie was born September 29th, 1937 and graduated from Kipp High School in 1955. She attended Emporia State College and Fort Hays State College. She worked for Smoot Grain Company for one year.
She met her husband Don A. Johnson in Kipp and they were married December 12th, 1959. Margie’s early years as a farm wife were spent raising her daughters and “go for” duties. She loved to cook and experiment with new exotic recipes which were not always appreciated by her family. A family gathering was not complete without her blueberry salad and cherry pie which her nieces and nephews loved. A long-time farm hand, Dale Brown, said that the only reason he worked on the farm was for Margie’s dinners, specifically for her mashed potatoes.
As her daughters grew, her involvement in the farm increased. As she told the Salina Journal in 2003, she wanted to learn how to drive a combine at harvest. “My husband went to town and bought an old combine. He put me out in a field and told everyone else to stay away from me and leave me alone. That is how I learned to drive the combine.” Margie quickly became a full and equal partner with Don on the farm. She fell in love with raising Angus cattle which became Don Johnson Angus. “It is peaceful to see those little baby calves born and watch them grow, it is a miracle.” She was looking forward to the 26th Annual Bull Sale in March and was reviewing calf birthing records with Don the morning of her death and pointing out his errors in documentation.
Early in their life, Margie and Don raised Basset Hounds and were active members in the Salina Kennel Club where they met many lifetime friends. Margie loved all animals and was never without dogs or cats. Even though she would grumble about a new stray dog or cat showing up at the farm, she would always feed them and make them a home.
Margie was active in various community activities during her life, particularly those involving children: teaching Sunday School (Kipp Presbyterian Church), Kipp 4-H leader, and assisted at the church nursery (First Convenant Church of Salina).
Margie lived her whole life for her immediate and extended family. Besides her husband Don, she is survived by her daughters Dawn Johnson of Tampa, Florida and Linda Egger (Dan) of Columbus, Nebraska. She sacrificed much so her daughters could have opportunities that were not available to her as a child. Her grandchildren, Caylie Prauner (Payton) of Norfolk, Nebraska, Torie Egger of Elkorn, Nebraska, and Lane Egger of Columbus, Nebraska were the joys of her life. She and Don never thought twice of driving hours to see them showing animals and the best times were when they spent days with Grandma. She is also survived by: siblings Betty Rudasill of Richmond, Virginia, and Bob Cooley (Sally) Lake Forest, California; nephews and nieces (Doug, Chris, Rita, Julie, Sheri, Scott, Lori, Amy, and Michelle), and many great and great-great nieces and nephews. She was proceeded in death by her parents Martha and Harold Cooley Sr., her sisters Peggy Baker and Karen Cooley, and her brother Harold Cooley Jr. Margie was looking forward to the birth of her first great grandchild in May. She will be greatly missed by all.
Margie’s faith was instilled into her by her parents. She insisted that Don bring the iPad to the hospital on the day of her death so she could watch church by video.
Memorials can be given to the First Convenant Church of Salina, in care of the Carlson-Geisendorf Funeral Home, 500 S. Ohio Street, Salina 67401. A celebration of life service will be held at a later date.