Earlene was born in Lapoint, Utah on December 6, 1936, to Earl Lawayne and Virginia Mae (Kump) Warburton. She grew up in a wonderful family on a farm in the rural town of Lapoint. She attended Lapoint Elementary School and was in the first graduating class to start and finish at Union High School (1955) where she was an outstanding student. Her Senior year she competed with 1,356 other Utah high school students for the title of Utah’s Betty Crocker Homemaker of Tomorrow. Earlene won and represented Utah in the national competition. She had all expenses paid for the trip to Washington, DC; Philadelphia; and Colonial Williamsburg. She also received a scholarship and a generous cash stipend. She and another contestant got to have dinner with Debbie Reynolds and Eddie Fisher. Earlene’s Sloppy Joe recipe that helped her win the award was published in This Week, a magazine supplement in Sunday newspapers throughout the USA (July 15, 1956).

After graduation, she attended Utah State University. While home for the summer in 1956 she worked as a waitress at the 7-11 Café in Vernal. While working there, a handsome former Korean War soldier left her silver dollar tips. Thus began a 70-year romance with Loyal Hall Johnson. They were married January 12, 1957, in Lapoint.

They first lived in Ogden, then Roy, and Sunset before moving to Fruit Heights in 1971. Along the way they raised 3 sons and lost a son that was stillborn. Earlene was a dedicated wife, mother, and grandmother, nothing was more important and she was extremely good at it.

She worked at the Ogden IRS as a tax examiner for over 30 years.

She loved reading and instilled that love in her children. After retiring, she volunteered as a reading tutor at an elementary school. She kept a detailed daily diary. She was happiest at family gatherings.

She was always active in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. After much pleading from 8-year old son Mark, she was the impetus for starting Cub Scouting in their ward. She served as Cub Scout Den Mother for each of her sons. She served in many other callings, including Relief Society president. Her influence led her husband into the faith, and the family was sealed in the Ogden Temple in 1976.

In 2016 she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease. Although the disease took away many of her abilities, late into her life she still did remarkably well remembering some things, like immediate family members, details of the first half of her life, and songs she learned in her youth.

She was preceded in death by her parents, stillborn son Norman Ray Johnson, and one great-grandson Bridger Joshua Johnson.

She is survived by her husband and their children Mark Duane Johnson (Julie), Jeffrey Jay Johnson (Alena), Troy Dallas Johnson (Tina), 13 grandchildren, and 24 great-grandchildren. Also survived by siblings Shirley Kay Rich (widow of Buck), Glee Rasmussen (Doug), Nyle Warburton (April), and Cindy Jenkins (Craig).

She will be dearly missed. Her family finds comfort in the truths Earlene held dear –the promise of eternal families, the hope of the Resurrection, and the knowledge that through Jesus Christ, death is not the end. Mom, we look forward to a joyful reunion with you!

Funeral services will be held on Monday, November 9, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 24 Country Lane, Fruit Heights, Utah 84037. Family and friends are invited to attend viewings on Sunday, November 8, 2026, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Lindquist’s Kaysville Mortuary, 400 Main Street, Kaysville, Utah 84037, and Monday, November 9, 2026, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the church in Fruit Heights, prior to the funeral service. After the funeral, Interment will be at Kaysville City Cemetery, 500 East Crestwood Road, Kaysville, Utah 84037.

Condolences may be sent to www.lindquistmortuary.com