Karol Elaine Johnson

Karol Elaine Johnson passed away peacefully at home on Dec. 30, 2024, at the age of 77, following a brief illness. She was preceded in death by her parents, Kenneth and Esther (Rodgers) Johnson, and her great-nephew, Philip Lambertsen. She is survived by her sisters, Diane Dupree and Karen Lambertsen, their children Hilary (Andy), Kirsten (Bruce), and Mike, and grandchildren Will, Zoe, Rorden, Sylvie, and Rylan.

Karol was born Nov. 5, 1947, in Sutherland, Neb., where her family lived on her grandfather's farm. The house had no indoor plumbing and little heat from one small stove in the living room, which was typical for rural farmhouses at that time.

Karol and her two older sisters, Karen and Diane, grew up loving farm life. Their imagination knew no bounds. Those were endless, carefree days for Karol and Diane, playing with their dolls, playing Tarzan in the huge grapevines that grew in the orchard, playing circus with the farm animals, and many other adventures that their imaginations brought to life.

In the 1950s, the family moved to Wyoming, first to Rawlins and later to Lander, where their parents lived the rest of their lives. After Karol graduated from high school in 1965, she moved to Denver in search of big-city life, and she wasn't disappointed. She remembered that outings in the 60s meant dressing "to the nines" in miniskirts, teased hair, and high heels—and sometimes even hats and gloves. Karol described living in Denver then "like being in a movie." The big city offered endless adventures, and Karol remembered those years as being full of laughter and crazy fun.

During those years, Karol had a busy career at Johns Manville, working in cities coast to coast. But by the late 1970s, she had tired of all the travel and returned to Lander. While attending Central Wyoming College in Riverton, she hosted a classical music radio program that became so popular it led to her own television show. She graduated Phi Theta Kappa with a degree in broadcast journalism.

Karol was a gifted writer. When she was only 18 years old, she submitted a short story to Seventeen Magazine. But when the editor returned it with notes and asked Karol to rewrite a paragraph, Karol was so insulted that she never resubmitted her story. With no money for her own agent and editor, she didn't know the rules. But that didn't quash her passion for storytelling. Some years later, she sold a "Magnum, P.I." script to Universal Television!

In the 2000s, Karol ventured into real estate. She worked at REMAX for a time but soon opened her own business, West Lane Properties. Her entrepreneurial spirit and attention to detail made her a trusted and successful realtor in the community.

Karol was very creative and loved arts and crafts. She painted beautiful watercolors, and she handmade all of her birthday cards and greeting cards for friends and family. She loved to knit and do needlework, making sweaters, throws, etc. A devoted animal lover, she cared for many stray cats over the years, including her beloved Swede, who remained her loyal companion for 13 years.

Sports was another passion. Karol played golf and tennis for years and cheered on her favorite golfer, Phil Mickelson, whenever he was on TV. She never missed the Nuggets or the Broncos on TV, and she had a special fondness for Josh Allen since his days at the University of Wyoming.

Family was the heart of Karol's life. After her parents moved to Lander in the early 1960s, Karol's Colorado family always made the annual July 4-week pilgrimage to see them, creating a cherished tradition. From parade watching, lunch at the Gannett, playing in the park, endless games of Mille Bornes, and, of course, fireworks, the highlight was always Karol's Swedish pancakes. She tirelessly cooked them one at a time, perfectly replicating her mother's recipe.

Karol's colorful stories, infectious laughter, and massive bear hugs make her unforgettable. She lived with such generosity, humor, warmth, and love for family that will be dearly missed. Until we meet again, Karol—we love you and miss you.

Please join us in celebrating Karol's life with stories, laughter, and love on July 12, 2025, at 2 p.m. at 170 Indian Lookout Drive, Lander, Wyo. Contact Hudson's Funeral Home with any questions (307-332-2221).

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Karol's memory to a charity of your choice or by planting a tree in her honor from the Sympathy Store (888-303-5240).

Please sign the online guestbook at: hudsonsfh.com