Gail Johnson

Gail Margaret Johnson, 81, of Island Park, ID, Apache Junction, AZ, and Aberdeen, ID, passed into the arms of our Heavenly Father on Tuesday, May 17, 2016. Gail was at the home of her wonderful daughter and in hospice care in Meridian, ID, at the time of her death.

Gail was born Jan. 7, 1935 in Isabel, SD, to David and Ida Flaig. Gail attended grade schools through 11th grade in Isabel, but graduated from Rapid City High School in 1953. She attended Black Hills Teachers College in Spearfish, SD, where she met Robert Ward Johnson. They were married Dec. 27, 1954 at the First Congregational Church in Rapid City, SD. Due to an extreme shortage of teachers, Gail was allowed to begin her career teaching in Riverton, WY, while Robert served in the Army. Gail then received her degree from Black Hills Teacher College in Spearfish, SD, and her fifth year from Idaho State University in Pocatello, ID.

For 37 years Gail taught elementary school and migrant kindergarten. The last 27 years of her career were spent teaching in Aberdeen. Gail and Robert had a home for many years in Island Park Village, ID, where she especially enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, golfing, snowmobiling, and attending family reunions. Her grandchildren are so precious to her. Gail and Robert were married for 51 years. After Robert’s passing, Gail met James P. Hamilton from Lake Tapps, WA. Gail and Jim lived in Apache Junction, AZ, from 2007 to 2016 and spent many wonderful times together, splitting their time between Arizona, Idaho, and Washington. Gail was a member of the Community Protestant Church in West Yellowstone, MT, and attended the United Methodist Church in Gold Canyon, AZ.

Gail is preceded in death by her husband, Robert W. Johnson; parents, David and Ida Flaig; sister, Sylvia Bertsch; brothers, Harold, Milton and David Flaig. Gail is survived by James P. Hamilton, of Lake Tapps, WA, and Apache Junction, AZ; her two daughters, Susan Bowles of Aberdeen and Darla (Kevin) Petersen of Meridian, ID; granddaughters, Kelsey and Nicole Petersen, and Allie Bowles; two sisters, Vivian Dittmer of Rapid City, SD, and Donna (John) Henschen of Baltimore, MD; sister-in-law, Ruby Flaig of Rapid City, SD; and brother-in-law, Andrew (Joyce) Johnson, of Casper, WY; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Burial will take place at the Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis, SD, on Monday, July 25, 2016 at 1 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please send any memorial donation to: St. Luke’s Home Care and Hospice, 325 W. Idaho St., Boise, ID 83702. Stlukesonline.org; (Everyday Angels).