Celebrant Pam Meily Vetter


	Celebrating Life Everyone Has A Story...

Effie Irene Olson was born in the village of Nome, North Dakota, in 1919, to Ida and Sigvart Olson. Effie was the youngest daughter following Myrtle, Adeline, and Lyman. When Sigvart's sister died in childbirth, the family also adopted Donnie. From the beginning, family was everything. Effie was raised in Valley City, near Fargo, North Dakota, on the family farm. It was hard on the farm as there was always work to do. Effie idolized her father. She'd sneak away from the housework and sit and talk with her father in the barn. Effie always remembered her father as a very quiet, soft spoken man. Living on the farm, Effie walked three miles to and from school. When the cold winds of North Dakota were blowing hard, she'd walk backwards to avoid windburn. Effie learned to work from a young age and invested time in her family. Her heritage was very important. She also had her own interests. In high school, Effie played basketball and she dreamed of becoming a teacher one day.

After graduating from high school, she left the cold weather behind and moved to sunny Glendale, California, where her sister Adeline lived. Glendale would be her home for the rest of her life. She attended college, pursuing her dream of teaching one day. She also worked in a general store in Glendale. After earning a four year degree in Education, Effie landed a job teaching preschool and kindergarten. She loved teaching and working with children. Teaching was a job she held for eight years. Her life changed when she met Johnny Johnson. She was dating another man at the time, but Johnny quickly paid the other guy $5 to get lost. Effie remembers that Johnny was as handsome as the day is long. Johnny enlisted in the Marine Corp, while Effie waited for him to come home after World War II. Johnny served the U.S. Marine Corp in Saipan, Tinian, and Guam. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart Medal, a Certificate of Satisfactory Service, and an Honorable Service Button. When Johnny came home from the war, he was ill because he had contracted malaria. But, nothing would stop a marriage that was meant to be. The couple married in a beautiful wedding service on October 27, 1945, at the North Glendale Methodist Church.

By that time, Effie was working as a Bakery Manager at Ralphs where she also helped Johnny land a job. That pivotal moment set off Johnny's life long career and devotion to Ralphs and its customers. In 1949, the couple's lives changed with the birth of their first son, Gary. They welcomed second son, Tim, in 1954. Their youngest son, Brent, was born in 1957. Effie was always devoted to her sons and the family she and Johnny created. Effie was strict but fair. She was there for her sons, bandaging the kids when they'd crash on their bikes, and she always made sure they were clean, cared for, and well fed. Effie was a strong woman who was filled with pride and joy for her kids, letting them live out their own dreams. As they grew up, she supported each one of her sons. In 1987, Effie was thrilled to welcome her first granddaughter Krystyn into the world. In fact, she was the first one to hold her in the hospital. Effie became Grandma Honey to Krystyn, Elizabeth, Jonathan, and Tate. She was a kind, gentle, and loving grandma who was caring. Throughout her life, Effie was a wonderful cook, especially known for her delicious apple pie and strawberry jello. One of her favorite hobbies was caring for her roses and beautiful garden. As family was a priority, Effie spent three years creating amazing photo albums and written histories for her children. They are truly keepsakes that are filled with love.

Effie Johnson will be remembered as a beautiful, strong woman who was filled with love for her family. Her advice to everyone would be to get along with each other and move forward with your lives. Her family will miss everything about her, especially her presence, as she she was the glue holding everything and everyone together. If someone fell down, she was the one to pick you up. For Effie, it was always family first. Now reunited with her husband, may she rest in peace.

To visit Johnny Johnson's memorial, please link to: celebrantpam.com/memorials/johnnyjohnson.html.