Betty Heinrich Johnston

Betty Heinrich Johnston, 75, a longtime resident of Laurel, Md., and a former resident of Soap Lake and Ephrata, died late Friday evening, Feb. 16, 2007, at Samaritan Hospital in Moses Lake following an extended illness.

She was born April 2, 1931, to Carl and Verona (Abbott) Heinrich in Bakersfield, Calif., and while growing up, attended many schools, following her father's career in construction. In 1949, she graduated from Ephrata High School. While she lived in the area, she worked for the Bureau of Reclamation in Ephrata as a secretary. On March 17, 1951, she married Bill Johnston in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, and they made their home in many places, following his career in the U.S. Air Force, later settling in Laurel, Md. While living there, she worked for the National Security Agency as an office manager.

Following the death of her husband Bill in 1984, she continued to live and work in Maryland. She retired in 1993 and recently came to Washington to be with her family.

Survivors include: Her two sons, Bill G. Johnston Junior and wife, Anna of Odenton, Md., and Kirk Johnston of Laurel, Md.; three sisters, Carmel O'Byrne and husband, Stuart, of Moses Lake, Beverly Barker and husband, Jim, of Connell, and Gay Beth Brown and husband, Scott, of Boise, Idaho; one grand daughter, Julianna Lanoy of Odenton, Md., and several nieces and nephews.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Bill, her parents, Carl and Verona and a brother, Don.

A service of commemoration for Betty Heinrich Johnston will be conducted Wednesday morning, Feb. 21, at 11 a.m. in the Community Evangelical Church in Soap Lake with Rev. Gordie Whipp officiating. Inurnment will follow in the Valley View Cemetery in Soap Lake at a later date.

Ward's Funeral Chapel of Leavenworth is in charge of arrangements.