Laura M. Johnson

– Laura Marie Johnson passed away Wednesday, March 25, 2015, after a short battle with cancer. She was born Oct. 29, 1940, in Billings and grew up in Harlowton until high school graduation. She married Rich Birgenheier in 1958 and moved to Missoula. From that marriage, she had two sons and two daughters.

She married Larry Johnson in 1978. At that time, she added another son and daughter. They were married for 37 years.

Laura worked as a medical secretary for multiple medical clinics. She worked for Prudential Insurance, finally retiring from Hagan Welding.

She loved to grow and tend her flowers and gardens, and took great joy in her sheep, chickens and thoroughbred racehorses that she raised for years. An avid reader, she was never without a book in her hand. She liked betting on the ponies and playing the machines at the Indian casinos. She was an outstanding cook who loved to cook for her family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Mason and Jo Colby; brother, Laverne Colby; and her first husband, Rich Birgenheier.

She is survived by her husband, Larry; sons, Craig (Julie) Birgenheier, Rich (Stephenie) Birgenheier and Jeff Johnson; daughters, Nan (Jerry) Creighton, Laurie Whitworth and Lisa (Wade) Hendrickson; 12 grandchildren, Christopher, Kristen, Jessica, Reid, Scott, Nic, Carley, Mason, Colby, Taylor, Bridger and Kyia; and three great-grandchildren.

No services are planned at this time.
Read Laura Johnson's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.