Muriel Ann Colton Johnson

Muriel Ann Colton Johnson, 91, passed from this life on October 10, 2026, surrounded by her family and held by their love in St. George, Utah. She was born on June 12, 1935, in Murray, UT. Her parents, Milas Young and Isabelle Jacobs Colton, moved the family to Vernal, UT where she, her two sisters and brother were raised on the family mink and fox ranch.

She met her husband, Paul Wayne Johnson, on a college sleigh ride while attending the University of Utah. Shortly after, they were married in 1955, in Vernal, Utah. Their marriage was solemnized in the Logan LDS Temple in 1996. They lived in Germany while he served with the U.S. Army 1955-57. She spoke often of the incredible firsts exploring Europe, especially Paris. Immersed in European culture, Muriel fostered a love of style for clothing and jewelry.

They then returned to Idaho in 1957, making their life in Preston, where they raised their three children, Bryan, Cathy and JoLynne. Muriel assisted at Johnson Drug, where Paul and his brother Ellis worked as pharmacists in the family-owned business. She especially liked the annual retail gift shows, which often became a family vacation. She found her work as a special education assistant at Jefferson Middle School very rewarding and meaningful during her years in Preston.

Muriel and Paul traveled extensively, driving through Central America and later visiting Peru. Muriel was a talented artisan, always creating, sewing and crafting items with her hands. She was a gifted seamstress staying up in the wee hours making tailored clothing for her children. She would recreate authentic brand name teddy bears bringing them to life. Her skilled artistic nature made working with the kiln a delight. She designed beautiful porcelain dolls, (as well as stitching their ornate clothing), along with holiday snow babies and treasured Christmas nativity sets, all bringing her joy.

During her twilight years she knitted hundreds of hats for church donation to third world countries. In her late sixties, she met and married Clayne Pearson, as snowbirds they spent time at her home in Sun River, Utah and in Preston, Idaho. Muriel moved to Legacy Village Senior Living of Saint George, Utah in her late eighties. Her flair for dressing up continued as she always made an effort to look impeccable at the special Legacy events, where she participated fully and enjoyed the friends and staff there.

Muriel loved gardening, shopping with her sister, old movies, the Utah Jazz, Elvis, and Jacqueline Kennedy. Muriel had an insatiable thirst for research, studying and documenting family genealogy. Her knowledge of mineralogy as related to gemstones was impressive. Everyone enjoyed all her ‘Coltonisms’ and the colorful stories she told. She was never seen without her miniature yorkie, who was a constant companion for 16 years. Muriel was especially proud of her 55 years as an active member of the Daughters of Utah Pioneers and volunteered as a docent at many museum events. Her faith, as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, led her spirit.

Muriel cherished Cathy and Lester Young who were loving and dedicated to her through the many years of their friendship in Saint George. Most of all, she loved her family and treasured every moment with her grandchildren and great grands. She will be dearly missed.

Left to cherish her memory, are her children: Paul Bryan Johnson (Patricia), Catherine Johnson (Jeanne), JoLynne Glismann (Todd); her brother, Milas Avon Colton (Dorothy); her grandchildren: Kade, McKenna (Chris), KateLyn (Walter), Connery (Maria), and her great grandchildren: Paxton, Brantley, Jocelyn, Memphis, Bevin, Miller, numerous nieces, nephews and Todd’s daughter and children Breanne, Khloe, Lillie, Maizie, and Jace. She was preceded in death by her husband Paul (1999), her sisters Janet Sunkees (2024), Mary Ellen Culp (2026), her daughter JoLynne’s infant son Christian (2002) and her granddaughter KateLyn’s late fiance' Kevin (2019).

Funeral services will be held on Friday, October 16, 2026, at Webb Funeral Home, 1005 S. 800 E., Preston, Idaho. Viewings will be held Thursday from 6-8 p.m. and Friday from 9:30-10:30 a.m. both at Webb Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Preston Cemetery.

The family would like to express their appreciation and gratitude to the Saint George Legacy Village Staff and Renew Hospice for the loving care and kindness they gave to Muriel. For those who wish, in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Daughters of Utah Pioneers. Mail to: The LoPine Camp of The Daughters of Utah Pioneers, 115 East Oneida Street, Preston, Idaho 83263. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at webbmortuary.com