Dorothy May (Dietz) Johnson

Dorothy May Johnson, 79, of Sterling passed away November 20, 2016 after a long illness.  She was a farmer’s wife and homemaker.  Dorothy was born January 17, 1937 in Great Bend, KS to Solomon and Wilhelmine Dietz.  She was a graduate of Bethany College and taught elementary school for two years in Great Bend. 

She married Duane A. Johnson on August 27, 1961 in Milberger, KS.  They celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary in August.  A member of the Sterling United Presbyterian Church, Dorothy was a former deacon and served as the chairperson for the kitchen committee for many years.  She was well known for her bread-baking skills, was a state fair championship bread baker and a Festival of Breads champion.  She shared her talents as a 4-H breads project leader.  Dorothy was also an accomplished seamstress and blessed many people with gifts she made using her embroidery machine.  She enjoyed photography as a hobby and used her photos to make her unique “Greetings by Dot” cards.

She is survived by her husband, Duane and three daughters; Sheryl Kyle (Paul) of Shawnee, Gwen of Andover and Brenda Schwing (Aaron) of Andover; six grandchildren; Ben Kyle (Melissa), Ashley Stewart (Eli), Megan Kyle, Jessica Kyle, Caleb Schwing and Karissa Schwing; two great grandchildren, Creighton Stewart and Ember Kyle; sister, Ruth Bortz, Grand Island, NE; and two brothers, Emil Dietz (Theresa) of Galatia and Walter Dietz (Margaret) of Wichita.  She was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, Martin Dietz and Robert Dietz.

Funeral service will be 10:00 A.M. Wednesday, November 23, 2016 at the United Presbyterian Church, Sterling with Rev. John Haspels officiating.  Burial will follow at the Sterling Community Cemetery.  Visitation will be 2:00 to 6:00 P.M. Tuesday, November 22, 2016 at Birzer Funeral Home, Sterling with family present 5:00 to 6:00 P.M.

Dorothy deeply loved God, her husband and family, and her friends; she will be missed.  In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Hospice & Home Care of Reno County, Sterling College or the Sterling United Presbyterian Church.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.