Michele “Liston” Johnson passed into the loving arms of Heavenly Father on October 2, 2024 at 6:05, while holding hands with her adoring husband Aaron. Michele was born December 12th, 1962 to Robert and Louise Liston in Panguitch, Utah. She was the 5th of 6 children. She was warmly welcomed into the family and was loved by her siblings. Her mother was a teacher, and her father worked several jobs, as well as running a small cattle ranch in Escalante, Utah.
On the ranch is where Michele learned to love animals, cats, dogs, chickens, goats, and cows. But her favorite is and always will be horses. With the help of her parents, she learned to ride, rodeo, and Queen. She won several buckles in barrel racing, pole bending and goat tying. She was a rodeo queen or attendant at several rodeos while in elementary school and high school. She was always an outstanding student, earning several awards including salutatorian of her graduating class. During her high school years, she participated in cheerleading, dance team, and volleyball. She received a scholarship to play volleyball at SUSC in Cedar City (now SUU). She was homecoming queen, and 1st attendant in the Miss Garfield Pageant. She loved that her mom was her teacher in High School and always tried to please her. When other students complained her class was too hard, she defended her mother relentlessly.
In her senior year, she started dating her future husband, Aaron Johnson. He had recently returned from an LDS mission. They were engaged before she graduated and were married in the St. George Temple in August of 1981. Shortly after they were blessed with a son, Weston Aaron Johnson. Ten years later, Michele felt inspired that the family was not complete, so she started the process to adopt Kaelee Michele Johnson. Our second daughter, Shawnee Louise Johnson, followed 5 years later after another “inspiration” Michelle received. She was adopted just like her big sister. All the children will tell you that Michele is “The Best Mom Ever!”
Michele has a strong testimony of the Savior Jesus Christ and His gospel. She loved serving in the church. Her capacity to love as Christ loves is what really set her apart. Her ability to show compassion, caring and empathy to all made her special to so many. She was always taking care of others, not worried about herself. Her example has touched so many, and she will be dearly missed.
Michele is survived by Aaron Keith Johnson (husband), Weston Aaron Johnson (son), Kaelee Michele Johnson (daughter), Shawnee Louise Johnson (daughter), and Granddaughters Tylee Hales, Juneau Michele Kobal, and Nova Marie Johnson.
She was preceded in death by her father Robert Liston, her baby brother Wade and grandparents on both sides. The reunion of the other side will be so sweet.
Funeral Services will be held on Saturday October 12, 2024 at 11:00 am at the Cedar North Stake Center (95 N. 2125 W., Cedar City, UT). A viewing will be held prior to the service from 9:30-10:30 am. Interment will be at the Cedar City Cemetery, under the direction of Southern Utah Mortuary. To view a livestream of the service and leave online condolences, please visit www.mortuary.org.