Patricia Ann Johnston was born in Nisland, South Dakota to Elmer & Vesta (Malcolm) Spencer on November 18, 1928. On April 13, 1941 she was Baptized at the Congregational Church in Nisland, South Dakota. She attended school in Nisland until April 1943. After moving with her family to Greeley she graduated from Central High School in 1947.
On July 28, 1948 she married Sgt. Billy Reed Johnston of Ripon, California in Denver, Colorado. They began their military life in Berlin Germany during the Blockade and made many homes during their 20 year career which included Ft. Greeley, Alaska, Ft. Bliss, Texas, Ft. Riley, Kansas and Ft. Sill, Oklahoma. Following his discharge they returned to Greeley to make their home and he was employed by the Weld County Sheriff's Office until his death in October of 1967.
She continued to make her home in Greeley where she worked at Fairacres Manor until 1996. Following her retirement she was able to pursue her interests in art which she shared with friends and family. Her love of the outdoors and animals was apparent in all of her artwork and her life.
Patricia died Thursday, May 18, 2006 at the Hospice & Palliative Care of Northern Colorado Inpatient Unit of congestive heart failure.
Survivors include a daughter and her husband, Barbara and Ron Benoit of Texas; 3 sons, Billy Duane Johnston and wife Nancy, Jerry Lee Johnston of Greeley and James Austin and wife Fe of Oak Harbor, Washington; a sister and her husband, Shirley & Jennings Floren of Mud Butte, South Dakota; grandchildren, Jenny & Vance of Colorado, Michael & Bryan of Texas, Juliet & husband Noel of California and Steven who is currently in the Air Force and great grandchildren, Kayla and Geddy Lee of Denver, Natasha, Mike, Alex and Jack all of Texas and Josie of California. In addition to her husband she is preceded in death by her parents and an older brother who died as an infant.
A private family gathering was held at her home. Cremation. Moser Funeral & Cremation Service is in charge of arrangements.