Just a few days after Christmas the Lord saw fit (I'm sure my dad as well) to call my mother home. While it deeply saddens me to think that my children will not get to know my parents now I know they will someday. I feel like my children and more especially I still had so much to learn from my mom and dad, but I know the Lord is watching over all of us. While I will always feel a void from the loss of my mother I take comfort in knowing she is with my dad and they are doing a great work on the other side. This is her obituary as seen in the paper:

Louise Elizabeth Carbine Johnson Louise Elizabeth Carbine Johnson, our beloved mother, sister, and grandmother, passed away Dec. 29, 2009, in Naperville, from pulmonary hypertension. While we will miss her wise and constant guidance, we know Louise had a joyful reunion with her eternal companion, Kim, who was anxiously awaiting her arrival. Louise was born Dec. 6, 1943, in Salt Lake City, Utah. She was the second of three children born to Leland and Melva Carbine. Louise lived on Chadwick Street in Sugar House and attended Highland Park Elementary School and graduated from Highland High School. She attended the University of Utah for two years and then worked full time at First Security Bank where she met her husband. Louise married Delbert Kim Johnson for time and all eternity on Sept. 6, 1968, in the Salt Lake temple. Louise found her true calling in life as a wife and mother. Together with Kim, they were blessed with eight children. Louise devoted all of her time and energy to raising her children. She made individual time for each child: attending sporting events, lending her talents to help with their homework, and spending time talking to and counseling with her children. Even as adults, each of her children counts her as one of their best friends. Her greatest joy was spending time with her posterity. Her children and grandchildren all "rise up and call her blessed." Louise loved to grow things and maintained a very extensive garden. She spent significant time growing fruits and vegetables that she canned or froze for her family. Her salsa will be missed by many. She even loved the satisfaction of pulling weeds. Louise loved playing the piano, watching old movies and crossword puzzles. Louise is known and loved by many for her even temper, good nature, and wisdom. She chose to live a simple life but enriched the lives of everyone who knew her. A faithful member of the LDS Church, Louise served in many different positions. She loved to serve others and teach children about the Gospel. Louise is survived by her eight children, Jeffrey L. Johnson (Lisa) of Pleasant Grove, Utah, Joshua D. Johnson (Katy) of Yakima, Wash., Sara L. Smith (Kurt) of Nashville, Tenn., Jessica J. Child (Andrew) of Naperville, Adam K. Johnson (Nikki) of Round Lake Beach, Matthew H. Johnson (Sharon) of Provo, Utah, Katie C. Earp (Ryan) of Tucson, Ariz., and Elizabeth W. Earp (Daniel) of Kyle, Texas. She is also survived by her 23 grandchildren: Maren, Talia, Miles, Grant Johnson, Emma, Timothy, Savannah, Caroline Johnson, Sean, Trevor, Leia, Myla Smith, Tyler, Rachel, Tanner, Anna, Ellie and Claire Child, Dallin, Caleb, and Natalie Johnson, Marissa and Devon Earp. She is also survived by siblings, Rita Ann Best of Harrisonburg, Va. and Daniel Carbine of Salt Lake City, Utah. Louise was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Kim; and her parents, Leland D. Carbine and Melva W. Hudson Carbine. Funeral services will be Saturday, Jan. 2, at 11 a.m. at the Naperville LDS Meetinghouse, 1411 95th Street, Naperville, IL 60564. A viewing will be held Friday, Jan. 1, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Friedrich-Jones Funeral Home, 44 S. Mill St., Naperville, IL 60540, and Saturday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the church. Graveside services will be held Jan. 4, at 11 a.m. in Santaquin, Utah.

Published in Chicago Suburban Daily Herald from December 31, 2009 to January 1, 2010