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.