Obituary of Helen V. Johnson

Helen V. Johnson, 85, of Lititz, PA, formerly of Manheim, Big Moose, NY, and Daytona Beach, FL, passed away on Tuesday afternoon, February 20, 2024 at Luther Acres in Lititz.  Born in New Hartford, NY, she was the daughter of the late Albert V. and Kathleen S. Folts Huther.  She was the wife of Keith Johnson, Jr., who passed in 2004.

Helen was a member of Hope Lutheran Church in Daytona Beach where she played the clavinova and dulcimer and was a member of the bell choir.  She was also a member of the Daytona Beach Symphony Guild.  Helen studied piano for nine years at the Conservatory of Music in Utica, NY.  She was a graduate of Becker College in Worcester, MA and was employed in the radiology department of Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston and as a lab technician at St. Luke's Hospital in New Hartford. 

While living in Sporting Hill, outside of Manheim, she and her husband had a business where Keith built over 100 dulcimers and Helen taught lessons to play the instrument.  They also demonstrated this unique musical instrument at local art and craft shows, including biannually at Landis Valley Farm Museum.  She also performed in Lancaster (PA) with Dulcimer Folk and trio Evergreen, as well as providing background music at several restaurants while living in the Adirondacks.  Helen was also interested in spinning wool and was a member of the Lancaster Spinners and Weavers Guild and competed at the Pennsylvania Farm Show.

She was active in the Big Moose and Adirondack community by operating a business called Woods Goods, board member of Art Works in Old Forge, and secretary of the Big Moose Fire and Ambulance Company.

She is survived by three children, Karen G., wife of Mark S. Folsom, of Middletown, Heather J., wife of James E. Hess, of Lititz, and Kenneth S., husband of Wendy S. Landis Johnson, of Manheim; five grandchildren; two great grandsons; and two brothers, John W., husband of Catherine Huther, of Seattle, WA, and Ray C., husband of Carolyn Huther, of Naples, FL.  In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a son-in-law, Rev. Dr. Norman D. Yeater.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday morning, February 24, 2024 at 11:00 AM at the chapel at Luther Acres, 400 St. Luke's Drive, Lititz, PA.  There will be no public viewing.  Interment will be private in Crown Hill Memorial Park in New Hartford, NY.  The family will receive guests at the chapel on Saturday morning from 10:00 AM until the time of the service.  To express a condolence with the family, visit www.spencefuneralservices.com. To watch a livestream of the service,  visit https://my.gather.app/remember/helen-johnson-2024.