Renée Fitzgerald Johnson

On February 11, 2022, Ida Renée Fitzgerald Johnson bravely and peacefully completed her earthly sojourn in Heber City, Utah at the age of 96, surrounded by her loving family.
Renée was born at home on August 14, 1925 to Benjamin Athel Fitzgerald and Avis Luella Bonner. Athel and Luella raised five boys and two girls in their house in downtown Heber, which had only four small bedrooms and one bathroom. At the age of three, Renée went to live in Midway on Bonner’s Corner with her beloved grandmother, Sarah Eliza Bronson Bonner. Throughout her life, Renée always spoke fondly of the time she spent in Midway with Ma Bonner.
Around her sixth birthday, Renée moved back home to Heber to start school, where she attended Central Elementary and ultimately graduated from Wasatch High. She then attended Utah State University, which she greatly enjoyed, and was always proud to be called an Aggie. Renée adored her father Athel, who died in 1946 at the age of 54 while she was attending college. Her mother Luella then lived for another 45 years as a widow in the same house in Heber where Renée was born.
On June 28, 1946, in the Salt Lake Temple, Renée married Dean Jensen Johnson, also a Wasatch High graduate, who had just returned from serving in World War II. Both of them came from sheepherding families, and their first home was in Fountain Green running sheep. During their marriage, they also lived in Orem, Mountain Green, Modesto, CA, and Layton. In 1994, they moved back to Heber City, into Luella and Athel’s historic home.
Renée worked for Browning Arms for more than 20 years. She also worked at ZCMI and as an elementary school reading tutor.
Renée and Dean had three children, Valerie, Wes, and Jeff, who were their pride and joy. From these three children have arisen 17 grandchildren, 45 great-grandchildren, and six great-great grandchildren (with one more currently on the way). Nothing made Renée happier than seeing and spending time with her posterity of all ages. Renée and Dean traveled far and wide to visit and be involved in the sporting events, activities, and religious milestones of their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, always arriving at least a half-hour early!
Renée was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for her entire 96 years. She served in many church callings, including Relief Society president, baptism coordinator, and as a stake missionary with her husband. She had a strong testimony of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, which she continually shared through word and deed, strengthening the faith of her family and friends.
Renée was known for making delicious candy, especially divinity and penuche. She had a powerful sweet tooth and loved getting and eating chocolate. She enjoyed going for drives anywhere with anyone who would accompany her.
Renée had a great talent in Japanese Bunka embroidery and her artistic needlework graced her lovely home. She was truly a beautiful and elegant lady, as all who knew her can attest. She also could cry on a moment’s notice, both happy and sad, whenever anything tugged at her many varied heart strings.
Renée had a vast support network of extended family, close friends, and neighbors who spent time with her, cared for her, brought her treats, and made her laugh and smile. Her family can never thank these angels enough for their love and service to her.
In her final months, Renée gained a wonderful second family at Heber Valley Assisted Living on Southfield Road. Deep appreciation is expressed to Stacy, Tiffany, Dalton, and all the others there who gave her so much tender love, care, and attention.
Renée’s passing represents the end of an era. Just as she longed for, she has now gone to meet her loving husband and parents, as well as her siblings, all of whom preceded her in death: her brothers Bonner Fitzgerald, Frank (Faye) Fitzgerald, Don (Norma) Fitzgerald, Mont Fitzgerald, Clark (Jeanne) Fitzgerald, and her sister LouAnna (Sterling) Anderson. She is survived by her daughter Valerie (Richard) Smith, her sons Wes (DeAnn) Johnson and Jeff (Cindy) Johnson, by Mont’s wife, LaNae Fitzgerald, and by her ever-expanding and eternally-grateful descendants.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, February 18, 2022 at the Heber North Stake Center, 521 East 500 North in Heber City, Utah. A viewing and visitation will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. before the service.
As requested for all events in Latter-Day Saint church buildings, please wear a mask.
The services will also be streamed at the following link: https://my.gather.app/remember/renee-johnson-2022
Interment will be at the Heber City Cemetery. Arrangements are in care of Heber Valley Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, it was Renée’s request that donations be made instead to Primary Children's Medical Center or the LDS Church General Missionary Fund.