Debra Jean Johnson

Debra Jean (Veitenheimer) Johnson was called home by her Savior Jesus Christ to be one of His heavenly angels on July 6, 2017 at the age of 60 years. She succumbed to a long battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease).
Debbie was born in Missoula on August 8, 1956 to Casper and Alice Veitenheimer. She attended Willard Grade School and Hellgate High School. After graduation, Debbie worked at Brownie's In & Out until she married Rik Doyle Johnson in 1984. She worked at home as a licensed day care operator for 15 years and then worked at Subway stores until her mother became, very ill and needed her daily care.
Along the way, in 1989, she gave birth to her pride and joy, Bryce Doyle Johnson, who became a little brother to his half sister, Janie Lynn Johnson. Janie Lynn gave Rik & Deb three grandchildren; Kyra, Andrew, and Carter Connell and three great grandbabies. Bryce blessed then with two grandsons; Trevor Doyle and Declan Patrick Johnson.
Next to doting on her husband and grandkids, Debbie loved to bake all sorts of goodies and share them with friends and family. God blessed her with a most loving and giving heart, and everyone she knew reaped the benefits. Debbie never cared about worldly matters. Instead she devoted her entire life to her family, her friends, and Jesus Christ, her Lord. She adored and admired Rik's mother's ability to love and forgive and patterned her life in the same way.
Deb is survived by her husband, Rik Doyle Johnson, children Bryce Doyle Johnson and Janie Lynn Johnson, grandchildren; Kyra, Andrew, and Carter, Trevor Doyle and Declan Patrick and three great grandbabies. She is also survived by her father, Casper of Missoula, her half-brother, Bob Veitenheimer who lives in Oregon and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
Rik wants to thank Hospice of Missoula and the pastor and elders at Sovereign Hope Church. Also, their friends, Joyce Sample, Debbie Neilson, Teresa Gabriel, Sherry Talley, and many others who lovingly cared and ministered to Debbie throughout her illness.
A celebration of Debbie's life will be held at the Sovereign Hope Church on July 27th at 1:00 pm. The address is 1919 North Ave W. in Missoula. There will be a "greet and meet" luncheon afterwards at the church.
Donations can be made in Debra's name to Hospice of Missoula, Sovereign Hope Church, or any ALS Research Foundation.