Alyce Ruth Johnson's Obituary
Obituary Alyce Ruth Johnson
December 22, 1920 – August 26, 2020
Alyce Ruth Johnson was received into the arms of her loving Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on August 26, 2020. “This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice…” Alyce kept her age “a secret” and belied her advanced age of 99 years at the time of her death; just a few months shy of her 100th birthday, December 22, 1920.
Alyce was born in Duluth Minnesota to parents John and Anna Lindquist, who emigrated from Sweden. She was preceded in death by her seven siblings; Clara Lundgren, Oliver Lindquist, Leonard Lindquist, Esther Holte, Ruby Ellefson, Violet Roberts, and Paul Lindquist.
Alyce graduated from Denfeld High School in Duluth Minnesota. She attended Duluth Gospel Tabernacle where she met and eventually married Associate Pastor, Reverend A. Philip Johnson, on October 19, 1940.
A short time after their marriage, the couple accepted a call to pastor the Worcester Bible Church in Worcester, MA., where they were blessed with their first son, Mal D. Johnson.
In 1946, Philip and Alyce accepted pastorship of Rock Church in Rockford, IL., which included a large base of Scandinavian members. While in Rockford, they welcomed their last two children, a daughter, Karin J. Lucey and a second son, P. Terry Johnson. Beginning in 1963, they also led churches in Bremerton, WA, and Oakland, CA. In 1973, and ending with their retirement in 1989, they enjoyed a chaplaincy ministry at the Masonic Homes of California in Union City, CA. During these many years, Alyce employed her musical talents playing the piano, organ, and leading children’s choirs and Sunday School programs.
Alyce lived a life of testimony to reflect her love of God, family and community. She and Philip traveled extensively including several trips to Sweden and Israel. Alyce was always loving toward her children and told them they were each special because, Mal was “the oldest”, Karin was “the only daughter” and Terry was “the baby”. Every family celebration was enjoyed with Swedish dinners, holiday skits and packages uniquely wrapped with imaginative bows.
In 1993, Alyce and Philip relocated from the Bay Area to Folsom, CA. to be near their daughter, Karin. However, following an extensive illness, Philip passed away in 1995. Subsequently Alyce became a member of the Redeemer Covenant Church in Orangevale, CA. where she participated in Silver and Gold activities, a senior Bible study group and she played the piano for the “Special Class”. As an American patriot, Alyce volunteered as a monitor at election polling sites in Folsom, CA. Throughout her life she was employed at various companies working as an accountant and bookkeeper, including an extended employment at Malquist Butter and Egg Company in Rockford, IL. She also volunteered her accounting skills at Twin Lakes Food Bank in Folsom, CA .
Alyce walked with a happy, brisk pace, cheering her many friends with her bright and magnetic smile. She was always complimented for being smartly dressed, matched with sparkling jewelry and finally touching off her look with a stylish hairdo. She was woman of strong faith with an ongoing testimony of the love and salvation of Jesus Christ. Always compassionate, she quickly realized the spiritual needs of others, spontaneously providing prayers of comfort.
Alyce returned to the Bay Area in 2009, enjoying new friends, social activities and attentive care at the Carlton Senior Living in Concord, CA. Eventually requiring additional assistance in 2017, she resettled to Aegis Living in Pleasant Hill, CA. As Alyce’s care needs became yet more involved, we engaged with Kindred Hospice Healthcare services to supplement her care. Kindred provided a broad base of professional oversight as well as caregiver staff to monitor and augment her care needs.
The Johnson family would like to express appreciation for the exceptional and personal care that Alyce and our family received from staff and caregivers at Carlton Senior Living, Aegis Living and with Kindred Hospice. We have been comforted and blessed to be able to depend on the consistent, warm expression of concern and innovative care willingly bestowed upon Alyce and our family. We believe it was a rare exception to be able to rely on the day to day care of such committed staff.
While there is no a formal memorial service planned, the Johnson family will join together to give thanks to God for the remarkable life of Alyce. Alyce and Philip previously made arrangements for their bodies to be joined together in a dual burial plot at Chapel of the Chimes in Hayward, CA.
Beside her three children, Alyce is survived by three granddaughters, Kendra Profumo, Desiree Johnson and Tessa Marton. Alyce also leaves a Great grandson, Zion Johnson, and two internationally adopted Great granddaughters, Kadie Profumo (China) and Kemma Profumo (Japan).
As a widow of a California Mason, The Masonic Homes of California, approved an array of services which contributed to Alyce’s support and care while residing at Aegis Living in Pleasant Hill. The Masonic Outreach Services (MOS) program included ongoing communication and case follow-up to ensure that all of Alyce’s care needs were met with kindness and success. A contribution or a donation in remembrance of Alyce will be of assistance to other eligible Masonic Homes community members.
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