Retha Wiley Johansen

Retha Johansen   Retha Wiley Johansen, 78, of Wharton, passed away Sunday, July 29, in a Sugar Land Hospital. She was born December 29, 1939, to Velma Vaughan and Culous W. Wiley. Retha has a twin, Ronald, and three other brothers Dean, Harold, and Charlie.             Retha married the love of her life, Royce Johansen, on November 3, 1956. Together, they lived in many different towns in Texas, but called Wharton home for the last 37 years.             A nurse, Retha worked in hospitals, clinics, and doctors’ offices. Her Wharton jobs included, South Texas Medical Clinic, HearthStone (now Elm Croft), and Weight Watchers.             Retha’s life changed forever in 2001, when she was diagnosed with a tumor on her spinal cord. It left her paralyzed and in a power wheelchair. She was always quick to say that the tumor got her legs, not her brain. This was certainly true! Her quick wit and sharp mind reminded everyone who knew her that she was definitely nothandicapped!             Retha and Royce enjoyed traveling, and through company incentives, Royce won many trips and vacations for them. Retha also was a voracious reader, with murder mysteries being a favorite. She also loved to make her home beautiful, including the bed and breakfast they owned in Wharton, named Johansen House. She loved to beautify the outdoors also, with her green thumb and instructions to Royce of where each plant needed to be placed.             One of the first two women members of the Wharton Lions Club, she later proudly served as President. She was a member of Toastmasters, Republican Women, and various other organizations in the towns in which she lived.             Retha was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Royce, and son Calvin. Surviving are brothers Dean (Gloria), Ronald (Carolyn), Harold (Jackie), and Charles (Janie); daughters Ricki (Stephen), Debbie, Diana (Dennis), and Rebecca (Karl), son Darrell, and daughter-in-law Kristy Guyer Venglar (Billy); grandchildren Reeci (Rex), Benjamin (Christina), Katherine (Benji), Jared, Julia (Eric), Karis (Laurence), Kanan (Savannah), Kade, Colton and Jace; 13 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-granddaughter; and beloved nurses Natasha Jackson and Ja’leesa Jones.Visitation will be held Saturday, August 4, 2017 starting at 1 pm at Wharton Funeral Home.  A Memorial Service will begin at 2 p.m.