Dianne (De) Kay Johnson

Dianne (De) Kay Johnson, age 65 of Boise, passed away at home on March 31, 2019.

She was born on November 18, 1953 in Coeur d’ Alene Idaho to Albert and Lydia Wilske and was the second youngest of seven children.  In 1972 she graduated from Medical Lake High School and attended some classes at Eastern Washington University.

She married Lawrence Mix (Spokane) and they had a son, but soon after they divorced. She then met MSGT Claude (Ernie) Johnson (Glenn’s Ferry) of the United States Airforce, Fairchild AFB in Spokane and they married and had a daughter. Ernie was later transferred to Hill AFB, and the family moved to Ogden, Utah.  It was here she began her career path into what would be her lifelong love of construction.

After Ernie’s retirement from the Airforce, the family returned to Idaho where De continued to work with several different companies in the construction field, becoming a specialist in windows.  In 2000 De became the second woman in Idaho to become a fully certified contractor in the National Association of the Remodeling Industry.

Eventually De and Ernie divorced and after a long battle with rheumatoid arthritis, she was forced into an early medical retirement.

De had such a deep love for her children and grandchildren.  De welcomed many into her life and many friends of the family called her mom or grandma.  She also became well known as grandma to all the children in her neighborhood, who spent their time playing with her in the yard.  She loved to host many and always had a welcoming smile.  Her loss will be deeply felt by many.

She is preceded in death by both parents; Albert Wilske and Lydia (Becker), three siblings; Robert Wilske, Patricia Phelps, and Karole Tenhoven.

She is survived by three siblings; John (Johanna) Wilske of Coeur d’ Alene, Delores (Leo) Davis of Coeur d’ Alene, and Donna Wilkens of Coeur d’ Alene.  Her two children; Jayson (Renee) Johnson of Kuna and Misty (Jackie) Johnson of Nampa.  Her grandchildren from Jayson (Hollie); Zachery Johnson and Zayden Johnson, both of Boise and numerous nieces and nephews.