Kathleen Johnston

Kathy finished her degree in Education and English at UND.  She devoted 17 years in spirit of service to the State Developmental Center nurturing and teaching adults with developmental and psychological challenges. During her time there, she received several awards for her dedication and positive attitude about her work. Kathy took a brief pause from this work while she was employed with many friends on a gas pipeline that crossed through North Dakota.  She considered this a great adventure. Kathy then demonstrated her enthusiasm by instructing individuals with developmental disabilities at the Polk County Developmental Center.

After the birth of her first and only grandson in 2006, she relocated to the Phoenix, Arizona area and began teaching high school English at Wood's Academy school funded by the Goodwill Foundation. While at Wood's, she was repeatedly honored for her magical abilities to inspire kids to read and write.  Kathy was very proud when given the distinction of being one of three teachers to be nominated within the greater Phoenix area nominated for Goodwill Teacher of the Year on 2009. One day after her death, Kathy's daughters accepted the "Educating the Heart" award given to her by the Cesar E. Chavez Foundation.  The head of the foundation, grandson of Cesar Chavez personally thanked her family for Kathy's outstanding performance in the classroom. At the academy where she did her most recent work, her fellow teachers and her adoring students honored their friend and teacher at an intimate memorial.  She greatly affected the lives of her students, inspiring them with her unique approach to learning.

Anyone who had the privilege of spending time with Kathy knows she is was the life of the party, constantly making everyone laugh, and making even simple events more fun with her cooking and decorating. Kathy was a very talented artist, decorator, and gardener. She especially loved decorating for holidays, making dolls and creating unique purses.  And as most know, Kathy was an avid collector and looked forward to a good estate sale or auction.  While on the "hunt", Kathy was always thinking of others and gave the most unique and thoughtful gifts to her loved ones.

Kathy is survived by her daughters: Vanessa (Tony) Noce, Scottsdale, AZ; Christin Munchoff, Tucson, AZ; and grandson Anthony Noce; parents: Allen "Allie" and June Gilleshammer, Grafton, ND; siblings:  Keith (Jill) Gilleshammer, Fargo, ND; Julie Gillis, Brooklyn Center, MN; and Jay Gilleshammer, Fridley, MN.  She is also survived by four nieces and nephews: Jace Gilleshammer, Michael, Sara, and Ann Eoloff; one great niece Olivia Eoloff; four step children:  Donnie Johnston, Kristi Lorinser, Greg Johnston and Paige Johnston and several step-grandchildren.  She also left behind her two adored dogs, Mickey and Lola.

Kathy's gift for nurturing and teaching, her sense of humor, her generous manner and her intense love of family, friends, and animals will be remembered with love. Kathy had an unparalleled zest for life. A special and unique woman, many lives have been immeasurably enriched by knowing her.

Funeral services will be Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 2:00 PM at the Grafton Lutheran Church, Grafton, ND. Visitation will be Wednesday from 5-7 PM with a prayer service at 7:00 PM at the Tollefson Funeral Home of Grafton. Friends may also call at the church on Thursday for one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at the Grafton Lutheran Cemetery.

Guest Book