Joan Casperson Johnson

Joan was born January 5, 1945, in Fairbanks, Alaska to Robert Harrison Casperson and Gladys Marie Garst Casperson. Joan was proud to be from Alaska and lived on the family homestead 23 miles southeast of Fairbanks next to Eielson Air Force Base. She, her sister Donna, and brother Guy attended the Eielson Territorial School on the base.

When Joan was in 6th grade her family moved to Preston, Idaho. She graduated from Preston High School in 1963. It was in Preston she met her future husband Ronald Johnson.

She and Ron were married March 29, 1963 for time and all eternity in the Logan, Utah LDS temple. They made their first home in Preston, Idaho, where Ron completed training to become a teacher. Shortly thereafter they moved to Grantsville, Utah, where Ron began teaching in the Tooele County School District and Joan gave birth to their first child, Jeremy.

Joan had a very outgoing personality and participated a great deal in the community, including local theater, the Grantsville Old Folks Sociable, and working for the Grantsville Gazette. She was very active with the Grantsville Memorial Opera House Theater, playing “Yenta” in Fiddler on the Roof and “Bloody Mary” in South Pacific. Joan had many hobbies but her favorites were performing, documenting history, and genealogy.

After spending many years as a stay-at-home mother, Joan decided to get her college degree. She attended Utah State University extension in Tooele. She obtained her Bachelor’s Degree, graduating with honors in 1993. Soon after graduating she began working as a mutual fund representative for Fidelity Investments. She also had a long acting career, working in theater and film. She loved working at Hale Center Theater, Salt Lake Acting Company, and on TV shows like “Touched by an Angel”. For 11 years Joan was an ordinance worker at the Salt Lake City LDS temple. A calling she was very proud of, especially working with new brides.

Joan is survived by her husband of nearly 60 years, Ronald Johnson; her children: Jeremy Ronald (Robert), Judd Cly (Kimber), Joshua Robert, Jordan Casperson (Michelle), Jacob Russell (Christina), Juliana, and Joanna; her grandchildren: Kepler Judd (7), Zara Margaret (5), Harper Joan (5), and Cassini Yvonne (5), and her sister, Teresa DeSpain (Russ). She was preceded in death by her daughter Jessica, her parents, and her siblings; Gerald Ross, Robert “Guy”, Edna Mae, and Donna Marie.

The viewing will be held at the LDS Stake Center at 550 E. Durfee St. Grantsville, Utah 84029 on Friday, January 13th, from 6pm-8pm and Saturday, January 14th, from 9am-11am with Funeral services following at 11:30am. Interment will be in the Grantsville City Cemetery following the funeral. After the interment, a luncheon will be held at the LDS Stake Center. All are invited to attend.

To view the services via livestrlivestream , click on the following link:

https://grantsville.live/grantsville14th

The Family would like to extend a special thank you to all the staff in the memory care center at Cottage Glen.

Joan will be remembered as a giant personality and will be missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing her. We love you, Joanie!