Gwyn Ellen Johnson died Saturday, April 1, 2023, in her home. She was
born Gwyn Ellen Hendricks on January 26, 1941, in Fort Smith, Arkansas, to parents Gwendolyn Randall Hendricks and John Paul Hendricks. The
oldest of five Hendricks children, she grew up in Fort Smith, Arkansas, and attended Catholic schooling, including Saint Scholastica, Immaculate
Conception and Saint Anne’s Academy.
After graduating, she attended Webster University in St. Louis,
Missouri, followed by Dental Hygiene school at the University of Kansas
City Missouri. It was there that she met and married her husband,
Michael Johnson, and they enjoyed 60 years of marriage that was rooted
in love, faith, family, and community.
Gwyn and Mike moved to Abilene, Kansas, in 1962 where they worked
together at Mike’s dental practice. From the moment Gwyn came to
Abilene, she embraced everything it had to offer and began to establish
community through friends and involvement at St. Andrews Church. She
embraced the beauty of the Kansas prairie and inspired so many to do the
same, leading hikes and tours, teaching others to appreciate Kansas
native grasses and wildflowers. Later, she became an instrumental part
of the Dickinson County Historical Society, the Arts Council of
Dickinson County and a founding member of the Great Plains Theater, and
founding member of the Community Foundation of Dickinson County. In
March of 2023, she received the Women of Excellence award for her
passion and dedication to her community.
Gwyn is survived by son Tim (Jennifer), daughters Katy, Betsy (Hardy)
and Emily (Jason), as well as eight grandchildren and one great
grandchild and her sister Betsy Walters. She is preceded in death by her
husband Michael Johnson, brother Randall Hendricks, son Robert (Bob)
Johnson, grandson Ellis Johnson, sisters MaryLynn Lawler, Sally
Marovich, as well as brother Tim Hendricks.
Parish Rosary will be recited at 10:00 A.M., Monday, April 10th, 2023, at
St. Andrews Catholic Church with Funeral Mass to follow at 10:30 A.M.
Memorials may be given to the Community Foundation of Dickinson County where gifts can be directed to a charity of choice. Donations can be sent to Community Foundation of Dickinson County, PO Box 735, Abilene, KS, 67410 or online at communityfoundation.us of to Danner Funeral Home, 501 N. Buckeye, Abilene, Kansas 67410. Online condolences may be sent to www.dannerfuneralhome.net.