Obituary of Denise Elaine Rollheiser
Denise Elaine Lydia Rollheiser-Johnson
It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Denise on March 29, 2022 in Saskatoon. Born on November 13, 1955 to John and Ann Rollheiser, Denise grew up in Saskatoon. As a child she loved spending time at the farm with her many aunts, uncles and cousins. She loved family get-togethers, such as the Rollheiser cousin reunion at Pike Lake in 2013, telling later how it was a great time with lots of food along with time to sit and visit with everyone
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She attended St. Edward Elementary School and E.D. Feehan Catholic High School. After graduation she attended Robertson Secretarial School and later SIAST and the U of S. She made many life-long friends while attending St. Thomas More College at U of S. While at STM, she served terms as Newman Centre Liturgical co-director and also as Newman President.
She always welcomed people at STM with her kindness, laughter and warmth; she treated everyone like family.
For years, Denise still fondly recalled her “circle of friends” and talked about her STM days as a special time in her life — including the Basilian priests, Ulcers cafeteria, liturgical feasts, Seder suppers, coffeehouses, Newman Player performances and a Newman retreat she attended. Friends still recall the laughs, lightheartedness and love they all shared on the retreat.
Work took Denise to Edmonton and Lloydminster, then back to Saskatoon where she resided until her passing. Her jobs included: working for the Correctional Service of Canada in Edmonton as office staff; customer service for an advertising specialties company; and a cab company in dispatch. She also worked with World Financial Group and enjoyed traveling for its meetings such as in Las Vegas.
She loved all animals, especially dogs, cats and birds, and was involved for many years with the Hub City Kennel & Obedience Club, as well as the Saskatoon Kennel and Obedience Club. Denise had a big heart and big love for her family and friends.
Like her mother, Denise took great pride in preparing good, home cooked meals.
Denise’s deep faith helped carry her through the tough times in her life, such as the loss of family members and health challenges in the last few years.
She had one sister, Diane, and was the proud auntie to Sarah, Curtis, and Alison. She loved being a great auntie and had a special place in her heart for her ‘littles” —Hawksley, Harrison, Haylen and Eli.
Denise’s first love of her life was Guy Tozer; she spent 8 years with him and was devastated when he passed away suddenly in February 2014. Together, Denise and Guy loved to vacation in Varadero, Cuba and had a lot of fond memories and friends there.
Denise married the second love of her life, Morris Johnson, on July 30, 2016, calling it a beautiful and spectacular day and a memory she will carry in her heart forever. Together, Morris and Denise traveled around Canada for business and pleasure.
Denise is predeceased by her mom and dad, John and Ann Rollheiser, her first husband Guy Tozer as well as by grandparents Joseph and Maria Hollman, and Alexander and Sophie Rollheiser, along with many aunts and uncles.
She is lovingly remembered by her husband Morris Johnson and his children Erin (Jarrod Brodsky), Tristan and Nixon Brodsky, Leah (Geoff Clark) , Remington Clark and Greg Johnson ( Kayla Allan ), her sister Diane (Gord) Wiley, nieces Sarah (Darby) Kells and Alison (Luke) Howard, nephew Curtis (Samantha) Wiley, and great niece and nephews Hawksley, Harrison, Haylen Kells, and Eli Howard. Survived also by her “ littles“: Rottie — Karma — and kitties Smudge, Sooke and Mouse.
When Denise’s dog Scarlet died years ago, she was comforted by the words of her then-4-year-old niece Alison who said when pets die, we shouldn’t cry because all we have to do is look in our hearts and there they are.
Denise will continue to be forever in the hearts of her relatives and many friends. Together they will make sure that her love and memories will be cherished.
Thank you to all the staff at St. Paul’s Hospital for your loving care, hard work, and patience.
And if you want, in lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. Paul's Hospital Foundation, Saskatoon SPCA or St. Thomas More College.