Carol Lenore Johnson, age 79, passed away peacefully in Lincoln on June 1, 2023 in the loving presence of her family. Her family’s hearts are heavy and feel her loss, however, her gallant fifteen year fight with cancer has ended.
Carol was the sixth of nine children and was born September 12, 1943 in Burwell, to John (Jack) and Margaret Johnson She will be remembered for her enthusiasm of living and her funloving spirit.
Carol’s early years were spent in central Nebraska and later included the By the Way Ranch near Valentine and Mission Ranch north of Kilgore. Most of her elementary education was completed in Cherry County Rural Schools. She attended St. Mary’s Academy from 1958-1961 and graduated from Cody Public School in 1961. She continued her schooling at the Lincoln School of business and Chadron State College in creative writing.
Carol married Earl Wade Wobig on August 24, 1965 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Nenzel. To this union, Carol and Wade were blessed with daughters, Lisa and Lori and sons, Shane and Shad. Besides raising her four children, Carol was also involved in ranching, worked at banks in Chadron, Kilgore and worked at Cherry County Assessor’s Office in Valentine.
Carol was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Nenzel, St. Mary’s CCW, Beta Sigma Sorority and American Legion Post 319. She enjoyed volunteering where she could in her community including 4-H.
Carol was an amazing cook and prepared favorite family meals including fried chicken and chicken and noodles. She was famous for her chokecherry and grape jelly and homemade bread. She shared her cooking talents at The Sand Cafe in Merriman and the Husker Hub in Cody.
Visitors to Carol’s could count on taking home violets, baby tears plants or succulents grown in her bay window. Sharing these with family and friends brought her great happiness.
Her greatest joys were times spent with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. For many years, she lovingly made each one a Christmas ornament and helped them bake and decorate cookies. Carol also took great pleasure in attending her grandchildren’s ball games, musicals, and other activities.
Carol loved company and visited others over a cup of coffee or hot tea. She was loved by her many nieces and nephews and took time to visit and listen to them. When they were in Cody, she always made time to come see them. She is known for her love of antiques, and her embroidery and quilting. She made many blankets and quilts for new babies in the family. She also enjoyed many “sister” shopping trips to the Black Hills and Grand Island.
Carol was preceded in death by her parents, John “Jack” and Margaret Johnson; two sisters, Jeanette Hoffmann and Jacqueline (Tom) Carey; one brother Gregg Johnson; four nieces, Collean Frederickson, Nicole Johnson, Kathleen Johnson, and Jean Pelc; one nephew, Matthew Peterson.
Carol is survived by her four children, Lisa Roth of Lincoln and grandchildren, Holly and John; Lori Gaskins of Lincoln and grandchildren, Sheena (Derek) Matulka and great-grandchildren, Tucker, Emmet, and Izzy, and daughter, Krista (Grant) Kubik; Shane (Heather) Wobig of Cody and grandchildren Colton, Austin (Myriah) and great grandchildren, Ryder and Bridger, and grandchild, Morgan (Hunter) Rouse and great grandchildren, Bexley and Huxlie; and Shad (Carly) Wobig and grandchildren, Knox, Brigs, and Brynn Wobig.
She is survived by her siblings, Collean (Fred) Frederickson of Ada, OK; Larry Johnson of Ainsworth; John (Susan) Johnson of Valentine; Ed (Linda) Johnson of Greeley, CO; George (Karen) Johnson of Cody; brother-in-law, Tom Hoffmann of Nenzel; sister-in-law, Bonnie Johnson of Roscoe; and former husband, Wade Wobig of Cody, as well as many other relatives and friends.
Mass of Christian Burial for Carol Johnson was held on Tuesday, June 6, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. MT at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Nenzel. The burial followed at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Nenzel. Rosary was recited on June 5 at 7:00 p.m. MT at the Church in Nenzel. Sandoz Chapel of the Pines was entrusted with service arrangements.
