Celia Johnson

Celia Maurine Johnson, aged 79, passed away peacefully at her home on Wednesday September 22nd.  Celia was born February 21, 1942 in Kansas City, Missouri was raised in the south Kansas City neighborhood of Marlborough Heights. She graduated from Center High School in 1960 and attended Southwest Baptist College for two years.

She began work at Graybar Electric Company in 1962 as a switchboard operator where she met her future husband, Karl. They married in April 1963.  They moved to Roeland Park in 1966 and after getting the last of their three children in school, she rejoined the workforce as a secretary at Asbury United Methodist in Prairie Village Kansas, where she worked for 26 years until her retirement in 2004.

Her retirement was highlighted by several bridge groups, lunches with lifelong friends, the continued enjoyment of their dinner party group that has lasted more than 50 years and lots of travel.  She and Karl went on several cruises and explored several countries in Europe before they fell in love with Paris. In all, they took 11 trips to Paris.  They would rent an apartment in the spring or fall for an entire month.  They saw all of the sights but more than anything, they just loved to ‘be’ in Paris.  A baguette and a bottle of wine for dinner.  Strolls through Luxembourg Gardens. Bus rides to explore all of the arrondissements.

She is survived by her husband, Karl, of the home, children David Johnson (Dana), of Lenexa, Jill Guerra (Roman) of Harlingen, TX, and Stephen Johnson (Jennifer), of Lenexa, and granddaughters Katherine Guerra, Nicole Guerra, Anna Johnson, Leah Johnson, and Lexie Johnson.  She was proceeded in death by her parents, Helen and Cecil Snodgrass.

The family would like to recognize the medical professionals at KU Medical Center, especially Dr. Ryan Ferrell and Dr. Mohamed El Kashab. They provided incredible care during her 13 year struggle with congestive heart failure.  Services will be held at Johnson Country Memorial Gardens at 11200 Metcalf Ave in Overland Park on Friday October 8th.  Visitation will be at 1:00PM followed by Funeral Service at 2:00. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association .