Irene Opal Johnson

Irene Opal Johnson born July 28, 1917, passed away July 5, 2010. Irene epitomized the greatest qualities of the Greatest Generation. She was born in a one room homestead "dugout" on the prairies of Southeastern Colorado to Ira and Delia Hewins. The third oldest of five children she attended a one room school house until about the third grade when the family moved to Morrison, CO. She attended schools in Morrison and Deer Creek. She often said of this period that their family had always been so poor that they did not even know that there was a depression. After graduation from high school she worked as a waitress/car hop in Morrison where she met Philip Ridgeway who hauled freight from Denver to Fairplay and Alma, CO. They were married and moved to Denver; in December 1940 their son David bas born. Phil enlisted in the US Army and was killed in action November 1944 in France. As a single mother in a post war economy maintaining a household required tenacity and sacrifice which were her natural traits. In 1947 she married Loren Johnson and moved to Westminster, CO where their second son Dale was born June 1953. From there they moved to Phoenix, AZ where they pursued the typical American Dream. They later moved back to Denver/Westminster where they retired. She had a very quick mind, great sense of humor and a high degree of tolerance and understanding. She remained very active in her yard and garden until the very end. She was excellent mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She is preceded in death by her son Dale in 2008. She has outlived all her siblings and friends and has been looking forward to reuniting with them. She leaves behind husband Loren Johnson, daughter-in-law and most wonderful caregiver Sandi Johnson, granddaughter Alisha, great granddaughters, Aspen and Cheyanne, favorite grandson Nick and his fiance Cherry Williams. Also surviving is her son and daughter-in-law David & Cynthia Ridgeway of Stanwood, WA, grandchildren Joel Ridgeway and Heather Ridgeway, great grandchildren Cayla, Joel Jr., and Aurora.