Perlene Louise Quanz Johnson

Perlene Johnson, a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, passed away on March 20, 2026, at the age of 90.  She will be remembered for her warmth, strength, and the deep love she shared with her family and friends.

Perlene was born on August 10, 1935, in Watonga, Oklahoma, to Howard T. Quanz and Lola L. Seeger Quanz, where she spent her early years forming the values and spirit that would guide her throughout her life.  Perlene later moved to Washington, where she graduated from Bellingham High School in 1953.  She began her working life at Hillview Dairy, an ice cream and soda shop on Cornwall Avenue in Bellingham.

She married Darrell D. Johnson on June 30, 1955, beginning a lifelong partnership rooted in love, hard work, and family.  At the time of their marriage, Perlene was working for the National Bank of Commerce.  Together, they purchased a Guernsey dairy farm.  In 1970, they sold the dairy and moved the family to Colville.  They purchased a farm in the South Basin, where they raised Holstein steers and beef cattle.  They also owned a Holstein dairy in Addy, WA.  Perlene was very involved with the South Basin 4-H Club and spent her Saturdays working at the Colville Livestock Auction, along with working many years as a bookkeeper at the Statesman-Examiner.

Perlene’s favorite holiday was Christmas, and she loved baking cookies and her famous caramels for the entire family.  She passed on the tradition of placing an orange at the bottom of each child’s Christmas stocking, a tradition that continues to this day.

One of Perlene’s true passions was researching family genealogy, tracing back for centuries.  With her countless hours of research, she gifted each family a detailed outline of the family tree and many family history books she had written.

Perlene was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Darrell and three siblings: Leita (Bill) Nieshe, Donna (Chuck) Millspaugh, John Quanz and brother-in-law Al Force.

Perlene is survived by her three sisters:  Billey Force, Sally (Sam) Siverson, and Dina (Larry) Woracek, and sister-in-law Cathy Quanz.  She is also survived by her five children and their spouses:  Terri and Jerry Wetle, Derek and Sheryl Johnson, Johni and Delbert Morris, Jaymi and Steve Gates, and Darin and Tamara Johnson; as well as her nine grandchildren and their spouses:  Dustin Johnson, Marcus and Girlie Morris, Anne Wetle, Megan and Josh Enger, Jackie and Riley Wetle Yurk, Alexanna and Adam Hancock, Thomas and Erika Soule, Keanna Soule, and Alex Soule.  Perlene also had 13 great-grandchildren.

The family suggests that, in lieu of flowers or memorial donations, everyone take a few minutes to do a good deed or lend a helping hand to a relative, friend, neighbor, or stranger.  For those who personally knew Perlene and her love for Gonzaga basketball, it would be remiss if we did not say:  GO ZAGS!

No services are being planned.  Danekas Funeral Chapel and Crematory have been entrusted with arrangements.  Please visit their website, danekasfuneralchapel.com, and sign the guest registry for Perlene.