In Memoriam
March 29, 1932-May 28, 2026
Peggy Arlene Larson Johnston, 94, passed away on May 28, 2026. Peggy was born on March, 29th in Netawaka, Kansas. The daughter of Inez Zamira Larson and Alvin Orville Larson. She moved frequently as a child and settled in Atchison, Kansas when she was in 8th grade. She graduated from Washburn University with a degree in Home Economics and was a proud member of Delta Gamma sorority and participated in the alumni group. Peggy remained in contact and traveled with high school girlfriends for years. She was also a longtime member of PEO.
Peggy is remembered fondly as a devoted wife of 59 years to Don Johnston. Don and Peggy met and became close in high school where they were a prominent couple—Don the president of the class and Peggy the Homecoming Queen. Peggy now rejoins Don in Heaven where they can together watch over their two daughters, Cindy (Cook) and Marcia (Jacobson) and their families which include their sons-in-law, Jim (Cook) and Dave (Jacobson) along with their four grandchildren, Scott and John Cook and Jennifer and Brad Jacobson as well as great grandchildren, Samantha and Colter Cook and Walter (Wally) and Ellen (Ellie) Jacobson. Peggy and Don are smiling as you read this.
Peggy is fondly remembered as a gregarious and happy person who made friends easily and often. In her most recent home at Mission Chateau in Overland Park, Kansas, Peggy once remarked it “feels like I’m back in the sorority!” and indeed, she was in a way, surrounded by the many people who counted her as a true friend. One person there said, “It’s too bad not everyone could have met Peggy!” Another said it was an “honor” to know her!
She was such a wonderful matriarch of the family, always interested in what everyone was doing and participating in every family activity, generally being the life of the gathering, whatever it was!
Don and Peggy created an idyllic family devoted to Cindy and Marcia…a close-knit family marked by happiness, joy and devotion to each other. Good times abounded as the girls grew up and those good times expanded when Cindy and Marcia married and added children and grandchildren to the family. It was such fun to see the love and joy in the eyes of Don and Peggy when everyone was assembled at one of the great family gatherings.
Peggy was always very active…she started an estate sale business in 1968 and continued working in that business until she was 85 years old. In addition to the estate sale business Peggy worked at the Country Store in Overland Park where she became the store’s interior designer helping people decorate their homes. Due to those activities, Peggy’s footprints and decorating touches will endure for many years to come! Those same skills and characteristics also live on through Cindy and Marcia as their homes and families reflect much of what Peggy and Don passed along to them.
Peggy made people feel special and people loved being around Peggy. She was a great listener and happily provided advice and tips freely to people she so easily met. She was in a monthly lunch group with a special group of friends and maintained contact with friends in her former neighborhood and her apartment at Mission Farms in Leawood, Kansas.
Peggy loved and was passionate about many things including politics and wasn’t shy about letting you know how she felt! She also loved the Chiefs and KU basketball. You might not have recognized Peggy when she was watching a game! To say she was enthusiastic was an understatement!
She also adored the game of bridge often playing 3-4 times a week with friends at Mission Chateau and at friends’ homes.
Dogs were an important part of the Johnston family! They always had one and the ones they had were quite spoiled—it was often said their dogs clearly “won the dog lottery” landing with Don and Peggy!
Church was very important part of Don and Peggy’s life. They loved Village Presbyterian and were very active in it. It was very much central in their lives and a wonderful source of happiness and steadfast support and many warm friendships. It was easy to love Don and Peggy!
Don and Peggy traveled extensively after retirement including a fun carousel group that visited carousels around the world. They always enjoyed sharing stories and photos with family and friends.
The world was a better place for having hosted Don and Peggy for so many years. It is comforting to know they are now together, moving hand in hand through eternity, no doubt keeping an eye on the family they created.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Village Presbyterian Church in Prairie Village, Kansas.
