Viola Bertha Johnson, daughter of Magnus and Amanda (
Linden
) Johnson, was born September 23, 1928 at
Courtland
,
Kansas
. Her family moved to the Miltonvale community where she attended public schools, graduating from
Miltonvale
High School
in 1935 at the age of 16. She moved to
Wichita
and enrolled in the
Wichita
Business
College
and graduated in 1937. Viola was united in marriage to Whitney Robinson on December 31, 1939. While Whit served in the Navy, Viola worked in
Wichita
. Following his discharge, they moved to McPherson and she began working for the Railroad Savings and Loan. After several years, they returned to
Wichita
and she spent most of her life there. Viola worked as a secretary for Garvey Grain Company until she retired at age 60. Whit passed away in 1966. She then worked for the
Evangelical
Methodist
Church
for many years. In August of 1988 she married Ralph James of
Wichita
and they enjoyed many wonderful years together. They moved to
Prairie
Homestead
Village
in 1999 and lived there until Ralph died in 2007. Following his death Viola returned to
Republic
County
to be closer to her family. She passed from this life Thursday, March 3, 2011 at the
Belleville
Healthcare
Center
at the age of 92 years. She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands Whitney Robinson and Ralph James and her brothers Edwin and Harold. She will be forever remembered by her nephews Marion (Kathy) Johnson, Belleville and Eugene (Joy) Johnson, Superior, Nebraska; great niece and great nephews and their families: Cynthia & John DeBey of Chillicothe, MO, Andrew & Randi DeBey of Springfield, MO, Amanda & Zak Elhassouni of Baton Rouge, LA; Ron & Betty Johnson, Nathan, Nickolas and Greg of Bloomington, IN; Bryan Johnson of Ontario, CA; Whit & Shelley Johnson, Kayley and Kendsey of Belleville, KS; other relatives and friends. Funeral services were held Monday, March 7, 2011 at Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home,
Belleville
,
Kansas
. Burial was in the
Courtland
Cemetery
. Memorials may be made to the Belleville Health Care Center.
