Kathleen Alice (Engstrom) Johnson

Kathleen passed away peacefully at home in Rawlins on September 28, 2022, with her loving daughter Diane and yellow lab Georgie at her side.

Kathleen was born June 2, 1943, in Rock Springs, Wyoming, the daughter of William R. and Elvira A. (Powell) Engstrom.

The family moved to Rawlins where Kathleen graduated from Rawlins High School and attended the University of Wyoming where she received a Master’s Degree in Spanish and English and a minor in Business. She married her best friend in life John W. Johnson on March 16, 1973. Kathleen said she fell in love with John when she was in kindergarten. They had one daughter, Diane Johnson Kulmus. John died tragically on July 5, 2000. Kathleen was blessed to have her daughter by her side throughout the rest of her life.

Kathleen taught Spanish in Riverton and then North Platte, NE, where she met some lifelong friends. Kathleen kept books for Rawlins Distributing while Diane was young and then taught Spanish at Rawlins High School for 25 years until her retirement in 2008. She also served as the Cheerleader Coach and drove the bus for the Cheerleaders during that time.

Kathleen was a long-time member of St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church, serving faithfully on the Alter Guild and she was also a member of P.E.O. Kathleen loved New York Yankees Baseball and all things UW Cowboy football. She loved traveling to home games in Laramie. She was able to visit both the old and new Yankees Stadiums where she made the Jumbotron during a game. A true highlight of that trip!

Kathleen is survived by her daughter and best friend Diane (Mark) Kulmus of Rawlins; step-grandson Marquard A. Kulmus of Rawlins; sisters-in-law Farrell ‘Sammi’ Engstrom and Sue Johanson of Rawlins; nephews John, Jim (Cheryl), and Jack Engstrom all of Rawlins; nieces Susan (Pat) Adams of NE; Dixie (Mike) Hill of AZ; great-nephew Mikey Engstrom; special cousins Judy Walcott of CA; James R. Hudson, Jr. of TX; her best friend of 70 years Mary Pat Sims of Los Osos, CA; and three faithful dogs who loved her dearly, Frieda, Georgie, and Brookie; as well as other family and friends.

Kathleen was preceded in death by her parents Bill & Vi Engstrom; her husband, John Johnson; her brother William J. ‘Billy’ Engstrom; brother-in-law John N. Johanson, Sr.; nephew John N. Johanson, Jr.; and her cribbage partner and long-time friend Sandy G. Kulmus.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Rawlins Rochell Ranch Animal Shelter or T’Keg for the Cure.

Jacoby Funeral Home in Rawlins, Wyoming, is in charge of the arrangements.

Condolences may be sent to the family at https://www.jacobycares.com.