Kathryn Johnson

“Right is right, wrong is wrong and everything in between is delegated to the politicians.” ‘Kate Johnson' was born Anne Kathryn Cremer on September 10, 1951 in Bremerton Washington to John Brody and Marjorie Lorraine Cremer (Ortwein). Kate had an older brother, Bob, and two younger siblings Teri and Jack. Kate's love and respect for the ranching lifestyle started at an early age. She grew up on a ranch in Northeast Washington State near the Columbia River; Northport Washington. Katie's love and dedication to family was the focus of her life and her favorite childhood memories were from the time she spent with her siblings, her cousin's from Seattle and throughout Montana; including her beloved Grandma Kate. Katie was not one to sit on the sidelines. She was a natural born athlete and wasn't afraid to take on a challenge. She was a strong believer in being an “active participant” in life. As a child, she developed a passion for swimming which lead to years of lifeguarding in her teenage years. In true Katie fashion, she was very involved as a teenager. Some of her interests, in addition to swimming, included cheerleading, basketball, beauty pageantry, and track. In fact, when she graduated from Northport High School in 1969 she held the school high jump record. Following high school Katie attended Eastern Washington University. She met her one true love, Robin, while visiting her family in Big Timber, Montana in the winter of 1970. They were introduced by her brother Bob, and as the legend goes, she turned down Robin's first attempt at chivalry which involved his airplane, a gun, and coyotes! Never the less, they fell deeply in love and began their 40 years of marriage in the Fall of 1971. Kate and Robin spent the first ten years of married life running the Lazy E-4 Cattle Company on Horse Prairie, near Dillon, Montana. It wasn't long before they welcomed their first child, Brody Cremer, in the summer of 1972. In the next four and a half years they added four more to the clan (later to become known as the “Brody” bunch): Adrienne (Addy) Lorraine, Therese Francis, Merritt Anne, and Benton Victor. Kate was a jack of all trades. As a ranch wife, she loved riding horseback with Rob, feeding a hay crew of 20, and, oh yeah, raising five kids. In 1981 Robin and Kate moved their family to Billings where they spent the next 20 years chasing kids from one activity to another. Although she was tough as nails, Kate was truly a beautiful lady both inside and out. Being “well rounded” was something she believed strongly in and she instilled this in her children. She was their biggest fan in all they did whether it involved playing a sport, music, student government, horsemanship or dressed to the nines for a special event or just sitting down to a family dinner. When asked, her greatest accomplishment in life was raising five kids who became each other's best friends and confidantes. Some of her fondest memories included spending time in the Big Horn Mountains at the Moody's cabin, skiing in Big Sky, participating in The Montana Centennial Cattle Drive of '89, time spent with her family on the Spear O Ranch, wine tasting with friends, daughters, and daughters-in-law, and of course spending time with her grandbabies. She was the ultimate optimist, always looking for an opportunity to learn and grow regardless of the situation. She was a believer in challenging yourself and never settling for mediocrity. Kate had a definite opinion about most matters and believed in standing up for what is right and speaking your mind. Her charisma attracted both young and old alike, she knew no stranger. The legacy she built will live on in her seven grandchildren. In 2005, Kate took on a new identity. Her granddaughter, Mary Kate, gifted her with the nickname “BON”. Although at first she wasn't so sure about her new title, within a short period of time she not only embraced it but she truly became BON to all who knew her. Bon cherished the time she spent teaching, playing, supporting and being entertained by her grandkids. She had an amazing balance between being loving and fun but also ensuring they were well behaved and were raised with high moral standards. Bon led by example and lived by the principle that: Right is right, wrong is wrong and everything in between is delegated to the politicians. In the Fall of 2011, Bon was diagnosed with a very rare form of cancer that ultimately took her from us much sooner than ever imagined. She passed away on Saturday, March 31, 2012. Her Catholic faith always guided her and she was a big believer in “praying about it”. In a conversation with Benton this last fall she said she “wasn't praying for the cancer to be cured, but praying that she would have the strength to handle whatever God's will may be.” Kate (BON) is survived by her husband Robin, her five children Brody (Jamie), Addy (Toby), Therese, Merritt (Blaine), and Benton (Abbie) and seven grandchildren: Cooper, Mary Kathryn, Jessamyn, Jordyn, McKenna, Colten, and Elsa; all who will continue the legacy she so proudly built. Kate was a truly amazing wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend. We will miss her sense of humor, magnetic personality, and contagious laugh. She was a true matriarch. We thank her for sharing her life with so many and are eternally grateful for the footprint she left on ours. Service: Vigil Services will be 7:00 p.m. Thursday at Dahl Funeral Chapel. Funeral Services will be1:00 p.m. Friday, April 13th at St. Pius X Catholic Church.