Kathe Meta Johns, affectionately known by her family and friends as Kitty, was born 93 years ago in East Prussia, a former Germany territory (now Poland). Raised in a small nearby town of Deutsch Eylau, where she lived with her mother and father Emma and Paul Rosner, and sister Heidi. After graduating from Gymnasium, and conscripted into the German Luftwaffe, she was stationed in Italy and served the German war effort in a communications center. After the war, she went to work for the American Government in Freising, Germany and continued postwar with the American Military.
Kitty worked in a typical military building which hosted administrative and educational functions and services. Coincidentally, Milton (Gene) Johns, who after serving as a fighter pilot in the United States Air Corp during the war, was teaching evening courses in electronics and mathematics. "We would pass each other on the stairs and smile." "He was a handsome American officer and I was very excited when we finally talked" These chance meetings sparked a romance, knitting together their souls for 65 years.
Together Kitty and Gene moved back to the States in 1951 where Kitty was introduced to America via Biloxi Mississippi and its Southern hospitality. Soon thereafter and to their delight, Glynnis Diane Johns was born and Kitty began her cherished role as mother and homemaker. Denise Meta and Milton Eugene (Jr) soon followed. Kitty made a home for her family while Gene served in the Air Force until retirement. Gene was immediately hired as an engineer at Vandenberg Air Force Base. He entered a graduate program at the University of Southern California, obtained a Master's Degree and chose to retire in 1980 . They stayed in Lompoc, Kitty's deeply loved and favorite town. "I love the cool weather, the cool breezes and fresh air." "I never want to live anywhere else."
Kitty was never happier than when serving her family. Because of her love and devotion, her husband and children have a deep veneration for her and she is missed profoundly. She was expert at her crafts: Prom, Homecoming, and formal dresses; blankets, sweaters, socks, crochet, and needlepoint art. If not in the kitchen cooking favorite meals, Kitty had her knitting in her lap and "eyes in the back of her head," to remedy any family need or referee any sibling scuffle. Her children were admonished to finish their plates so children elsewhere would (somehow) not go without. Scraps from the table were often put on the fence outside of her kitchen window to "feed the beautiful birds . . .."
Her neighbors in Lompoc were not sure what to make of (what had to be) Zsa Zsa Gabor peddling home from the grocery store on her 3-speed bicycle, replete with "ding-ding" bell and basket full of groceries.
Her favorite times were simple—anytime spent with Gene—the man she loved tirelessly until she passed on a beautiful winter day in Lompoc on January 14th of 2017.
Kathe is survived by her husband Milton Eugene (Gene) Johns of Lompoc; her children, Glynnis Mullenary of Santa Ynez, California, Denise Johns of Snohomish, Washington; Milton Johns, of Capistrano Beach, California; her sons-in-laws: Pete Mullenary of Santa Ynez, California, and Terrance (Terry) Thoren of Snohomish, Washington; her grandchildren, Jason Johns of San Luis Obispo, California, Jory Johns of Santa Monica, California, Jenna Johns of Beverly Hills, California, Michael Mullenary and wife Denise Mullenary of Lompoc California, and Brittany Mullenary of Solvang, California; and great-granddaughter Reagan Mullenary of Lompoc, California.
She was preceded in death by her mother and father, Emma and Paul, and sister Heidi of Germany.
Her life was celebrated at the family's home in Lompoc by a gathering of friends, family, and neighbors on January 18th.