- Date Of Birth: July 10, 1959
- Date Of Death: December 11, 2022
- State: Idaho
Kolay Cecelia Anderson Johnson was born July 10, 1959 to Melvin Jared Anderson and Marjorie Fern
Lindstrom in Pocatello, Idaho. She was preceded in death by her husband, David Floyd Johnson and her
father, as well as two beloved golden retrievers, Zeus and Aries. Kolay is survived by her three sons and
their wives, Trevor (Cheyenne), Colter (Kelsey), and Jared (Chloë) Johnson, as well as her four
grandchildren Leelou, Temperance, Corvin, and Cecelia. Kolay adored her grandchildren and was often
found holding them in her arms.
Kolay was active throughout her life and was always planning her next adventure. In particular, she was
an avid skier and loved every day she was able to spend skiing. She skied on Pebble Creek at least once a
week during the ski season and had served on the Ski Patrol throughout her life. Perhaps the best story
to capture how active Kolay was, is on the day of the birth of her third son Jared, she taught two
aerobics classes and skied down Pebble with her two older boys and husband. Later that night, she
delivered her son in the passenger seat of their truck as Dave drove her to the hospital. That formed a
family tradition where the whole family would go skiing on that day both to celebrate her son’s birthday
but also to remember how strong, determined, and active Kolay demanded herself to be. During the
summer, it was common to find her floating the Alpine with her family while expertly oaring her purple
Caddy or homemade, red Dorie. She was fond of week long river trips with her sons, sisters, brothers,
nieces and nephews, and whoever else she could get to go with her. In her early life, Kolay also loved to
kayak. She also enjoyed hiking. Just months before her passing, she realized she had never done the
Tablerock hike in Western Wyoming and it was on her immediate to do list. It took some convincing to
get her to wait to go with her son and not go by herself. She loved the hike even though she was so sore
she didn’t use the stairs for two days after she got home. Kolay was also active at home. She had built a
home with her husband on her father’s property. Like the rest of her family, Kolay was a “stubborn
Anderson” and incredibly proud of the home that she had built and maintained. She worked everyday to
keep that home running smoothly.
day, and maintaining other machinery on the family farm. Kolay supported herself by running her own
small business, Kolay Custom Sewing, where she offered her skills as a seamstress to the community.
The work she did varied from personalized fleece blankets to dress alterations, and clothing repair to
clothing creation. Perhaps her favorite work though, was the weaving she did on her loom. Kolay
created shirts, vests, towels, table runners, tapestries, and even small rugs on her loom. These projects
were loved and coveted by her family. Considering all of this, her children spoke often about how they
probably didn’t even realize how much work she did every day.
young woman, she served a mission in Scotland where she developed a love for the people and a deeper
love for her Savior, Jesus Christ.
Relief Society President and Young Women’s Advisor. She was an example of faithful and dedicated
stewardship to all those around her. In conversations with her children, she often spoke of little acts of
the opportunity to bear her quiet and powerful testimony to her children and all those around her.
Many were touched by her love, generosity, and kind spirit. To her children, she leaves a legacy of
