Evangeline "Van" Johnson

Mary Evangeline Van Johnson, 92, of Great Falls, MT went to be with her precious Lord Jesus on March 6, 2017 at Peace Hospice.Memorial services will be held April 8, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at New City Church. A celebration of her life will follow with a reception at the church.Born April 21, 1924 to Leslie and Mildred Smith in Hollywood, CA, Van was raised in the family home with her brother, Robert, and her sister, Sharon. Van's childhood years were spent in California, Canada, and back to California. She graduated from Hollywood High School and attended Bible Institute of Los Angeles.Van met and married the love of her life, Clarence E. Johnny Johnson, on February 20, 1946. From the day of his death, July 20, 2012, she has looked forward to joining him in the presence of the Lord.During her years as a devoted daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, friend and beloved GiGi, Van opened her heart and home to people young and old. She taught Sunday school, led Bible studies, youth groups, actively supported her church, and prayed faithfully for hundreds of people.She and Johnny lived in many places all over the world during his Army career. They lived in MT from 1957 until 1969 when they moved to Kenai then Seward, AK. In 1982, they retired to California where they lived until relocating to Great Falls in 2001. The joy of their final years was serving at New City Church where their son, Bob, and his wife, Cindy are founders and still pastor.Van was preceded in death by her husband, parents, brother and sister.She is survived by her children, Bob (Cindy) of Great Falls and Dave (Cindy) of Billings; six grandchildren who treasured their Grandma, Amy Theisen, Jessy (Josh) Catt, Abigail (Lloyd) Taylor, Jedidiah (Kim) Johnson, Rachel (Nate) Swanson, and Ryan (Hailey) Johnson; and 21 great grandchildren who adored their GiGi, Hunter, Katie, Natalie, Conner, Claire, Isaac, Isabelle, Israel, Elias, Estera, Noah, Ezekiel,Selah, Johnny, Serina, Sophia, Adelina, Ezra, Havalah, Seth and Vladislav.Van's deep love and devotion for Jesus, her family, her friends, and countless people on her daily prayer list is her legacy.In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the building fund of New City Church, 4114 N Park Trail, Great Falls, MT 59405 (406-727-4849).