Berthajean Mary (Baldauf) Johnson was born September 8, 1930, at home, Hay Springs, Neb., to Joseph Baldauf and Mabel Opal (Fisher) Baldauf. She passed away August 26, 2023, in Omaha, Neb., at the age of 92 years, 11 months and 18 days. On July 5, 2024, a Funeral mass will be held at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Rushville. She will be laid to rest in Fairview Cemetery. Following services everyone is invited to an ice cream social at the church to share memories and celebrate the ‘one and only Berthajean’s life.”
Berthajean was preceded in death by her parents Joe and Mabel Baldauf; husband Theodore Parker Johnson; brothers Boyd and Dan Baldauf; sisters Lavon Schwarting and Marjorie Williams; daughter Martha Jean; son Theodore August Johnson Berthajean’s name on her birth certificate was Mabel Joann. Her name was quickly changed when her grandmother, Bertha Augusta Garska Fisher Felhahn, insisted her name be Bertha since she shared her grandmother’s birthdate. Berthajean had several nicknames, her family called her Babe and she usually went by Bj to friends and co-workers. She refused to be called Bertha and insisted on her full name Berthajean. She was the “one and only Berthajean”.
Berthajean attended grade school in Clinton, NE, and graduated high school in Rushville, NE in 1948. She earned her Normal Teaching certification in High School. She taught in rural schools in Sheridan county and Gallatin county in Montana. In 1965 she graduated from Chadron State college with a Bachelor of Science in Education with a specialization in Library Science aka school librarian. Berthajean spent the majority of her life teaching in a variety of schools. One of her favorites was Anceny rural school in Montana where 4 of the 10 students were her own children. She loved teaching.
Berthajean Baldauf and Theodore Parker Johnson were united in marriage February 28, 1948, in Rushville, Nebraska. They quickly moved to Montana where they resided till 1964. Berthajean and Ted’s family of 6 children returned home to Nebraska and lived in Chadron, North Platte, Hay Springs, Lincoln, Council Bluffs, Iowa and ended their journeys in Omaha.
She enjoyed her gardens and could often be found beautifying her flower beds. Berthajean loved music, she could play the piano well and wanted to learn to play stringed instruments. She often sang to and with her children. She especially loved the songs of the 1940’s and 1950’s. One of her favorite songs was, “She’ll be coming ‘round the mountain”, Hi Babe!
Her favorite activity was spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved birthdays, celebrations and parades and attended them all with and for her family. Grandma Bj had many adventures with her grandchildren. Berthajean was a special mom, grandma, great-grandma and greatgreat- grandma. She loved to play, she could be found winding up all the music boxes in the store. She also liked to read and write poetry. Much to her childrens delight she wrote and told several childrens stories. Their favorites were the Goody stories and the Topsy stories.
She had a sweet tooth, she especially loved Ice cream, cookies, mini marshmallows, chocolate and strawberries (with sugar).
Survivors cherishing her memory include her children Erik Johnson (Cathy) Lincoln, Neb.; Kathryn Johnson Nokes (Paul) Manhattan, Mont.; Annmarie Johnson Schultz (Ken) Mary Jo Johnson Mollner (Bob) Omaha, Neb.; Gary Johnson (Vickie) Pullman, Wash. Grandchildren, William, Wendy, Kerri, Josh, Katie, Randy, Scott, Kristin, Abra, Elanni, Jerry, Jason and Cassandra. Great Grandchildren; Madison, Aydan,Jamie, Jordan, Jeremy, Jordan, Tyler, Parker, Roberta, Anastasia, Kortney, Autumn, Corbin, Sutherland, Weston, Zealand, Preston, Kaiden, Liam, Kenzie, Jackson, Chance and Justice. Great-Grandchildren: Amelia,AdelaideandGuinevere. Sisters, Josemay “Jo” Anderson (Don), and Mabelmarie “Marie” Datus (Gary) Many nieces and nephews.
She had several sayings, she could be heard saying to her children and grandchildren. Berthajean reminded us all, very often, ‘you have a choice to be kind’. And, “that’s not my favorite” instead of yuck. She also would say ‘that’s enough’.