(June 18, 2001)
A memorial service will be conducted today (Thursday) at 10 a.m. at Michelotti, Sawyers & Nordquist funeral parlor in Billings, Mont., for Zoeralda J. "Zoe" Johnson, 73, of Billings, who died Monday morning, June 18 at St. Vincent Hospital in Billings.
She was born in Michell, Neb., on Oct. 15, 1927, to Norval and Maudie (Newell) Labertew. She was raised and educated in Mitchell where she graduated from high school.
Following graduation, she attended Denver Business College before moving to Wheatland. On April 3, 1949, she married G.W. (Bill) Johnson in Wheatland. They lived in Wheatland until 1974 when they moved to Thermopolis. In 1980, they moved to Puyallup, Wash.
She moved to Billings in 1990 where she worked for the Green Thumb Program, Information and Referral for Yellowstone County and as an ombudsman for the Area II Agency on Aging. She loved working with the elderly as a care giver.
In later years, she enjoyed attending the B29 Bomber's Reunion with her brother J.W. in Wheatland. She loved her family and enjoyed her plants and flowers. She also enjoyed attending the Saturday night worship service at Faith Chapel.
Survivors include her children, Jerry Johnson and his wife Sharon of Thermopolis, Jean Trimbo and her husband Bud of Huntley and Jim Johnson and his wife Gayla of Powell; her former husband, Bill Johnson of Powell; her brother, J.W. Labertew and his wife Doris of Wheatland; her niece, Elaine Ellis, and her husband Gene of Thornton, Colo.; eight grandchildren and one great-grandson.
She was preceded in death by her parents and two sisters, Wilma Nelson and Audrey Bayne.
Cremation has taken place. Interment of cremains will be in the Glendo Horseshoe Cemetery in Glendo on Friday, June 22.
Memorials may be sent to the American Cancer Society, 550 N. 31st #103, Billings, MT 59101.