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Thursday, June 17, 2010

EDYTH OSCARIA JOHNSON

Posted by Carolyn J. Christensen, niece of Edythe Johnson. 

EDYTHE OSCARIA JOHNSON


Edythe was born in Shelley, Idaho to Carl Oscar and Gerda Theresia Hanson Johnson, a twin to Edwin Oscar Johnson. She and Edwin were born on 1 June 1908 when her father was 43 years old, and her mother was 28.

Edythe died two months before she turned 16,on 9 August, 1924, a tremndous tragedy for her parents, especially her mother, who was grief stricken. (It is to be noted that Edythe was born less than a year after Carl and Gerda's two month old baby daughter, Elsa Theresia died. WHo knows but what Gerda saw in Edythe a great comfort for the loss of her third child, her baby daughter.

Gerda Johnson Wilcox, a sister that was about 20 when Edythe died, expressed that Edythe had gone on a long walk to Idaho Falls, and back. She became very ill when she got home, and passed away shortly thereafter. Gerda felt she might have died of sunstroke. Maurice had heard that she possibly had sinus problems which exacerbated the situation. Maurice also heard that she was sickly at times. Wallace tells that she had lost about two years of school because of illness, but she wasn't frail or sickly.

Allan, who would have been 18/19 when she died, and was away from home at the time on his mission, remembers her as being healthy, and having beautiful features and hair.

Other things Allan remembered about her is that she was active in sports, including swimming. Allan remembers her playing catch with him. She was active in MIA (Young Women's) work and went to church with family and friends. She had a keen mind, and could have majored in music and other fields had she had the chance. She was friendly, but of a serious nature, somewhat reserved - a little shy?

Wallace remembers Edythe not as shy, but quiet and unassuming, and very gentle and lady-like for a girl of sixteen.

Wallace remembers that Edythe was a very good seamstress, and did some fine needlework. She was making a dress at the time of her death out of coral colored dotted swiss material with black lace. Her mother treasured this dress for many years. He cooberates Allens memories of Edythe being very pretty with fine features. He also remembers her as being quite tall.

Edythe had several girl friends, two of them being Maude Nielson and Bea Mallor. Strangely, both of them died very young as did Edythe. It is assumed that since Ruth was two years younger than Edythe, Edythe and Ruth were probably good friends as well as sisters.

Wallace was 7 years younger than Edythe, Walter 9 years younger, Berniece 12 years younger, and Maurice was 13 years younger than Edith.

Wallace told about a time when she was tending the four younger children when her parents were away. They always liked to have her tend because she was so kind and gentle. One particular time, all four of the children were supposed to go to sleep on a large cot in the kitch, two at each end. For some reason, Wallace felt abused and started to cry. (He said he possibly make have been faking to get some sympathetic attention.) It worked. Edythe took him on her lap and comforted him.

See Shelley 2nd Ward Records. Listed her dying of paralysis.

Notes:  By Carolyn Christensen.  I am not sure of the spelling for Edythe's name.  I am assuming Allen's daughter Edythe was named after Allen's sister, therefore have used the spelling shown.  Also, I believe that all the children had the middle name of Oscar or Oscaria.  Can anyone confirm any of this?

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