Mona Lee Morley Tanner Johnston Obituary (1932 - 2017)

Age: 85 years old. Passed away December 16, 2017 in South Jordan, Utah. She was born on April 3, 1932 in Lincoln, Nebraska to Randall Orville Morley and Alice June Snapp. She married Melvin DeMar Tanner on June 8, 1949. Later married Wayne Johnston on September 29, 1989. Mona was an exceptional cook and showed her love for her family by organizing and planning family gatherings. Christmas Eve was her favorite holiday to gather her family with lots of food and fun. There was always a puzzle to put together while the kids waited for Grandma and Grandpa Morley to arrive on Christmas Eve. Children and grandchildren remember many years of Christmas Eve dinners at Grandma Mona’s home. We enjoyed homemade tarts, cakes, and cookies, and there were presents for everyone. She had many interests and talents, which included interior decorating, crocheting, and sewing. She was a talented seamstress. She could look at a picture and without using a pattern make drapes, reupholster furniture and sew prom dresses for her daughters. Family memories include skiing at Brighton Ski Resort and going to Disneyland. Later Mona married Wayne Johnston, and they had a cabin in Kamas. Mona loved this property and worked tirelessly to restore the cabin and provide furnishings by visiting weekly garage sales. She knew how to make her home comfortable and appealing on a limited budget. It was a scenic place for her family to gather and enjoy each other’s company as well as the majestic views. It was also at this cabin where she owned and cared for many animals including horses, a donkey, goats, cows, chickens, and dogs. There was a small pond on the property with trout. We enjoyed many walks and spending time together at the Kamas cabin. During her marriage to Wayne Johnston, she traveled with him on his work assignments throughout the world. She found great joy in these travels. She had an enthusiastic love for the people, places and foods in Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia. She embraced the people and culture. She is survived by children Randy Tanner (Jan), Kay Tilleman (John), Liz Ayers, and Thomas Tanner and 13 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by husband Wayne Johnston and brother Jimmy Dean Morley. Funeral service will be held on Friday, December 22, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. at Jenkins-Soffe South Valley, 1007 W. South Jordan Parkway (10600 South), South Jordan, Utah. Friends may visit with the family prior to services from 1:00 to 1:45 p.m. Our family expresses our gratitude to the Carrington Court Memory Care staff who so lovingly cared for our mother during the last two years. We love you, Mom, and we will miss you! Funeral Services for Mona Johnston will be broadcast live beginning at 1:30 PM MST on Friday, December 22, 2017. To watch these services, click on the "Photos & Videos" tab above and select the "Webcast Video" icon.