Patricia Alene Victoria (Lair) Johnson

Patricia Alene Victoria (Lair) Johnson, 86 years of age, of Beatrice, passed away Sunday, July 10, 2016 at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha. She was born on August 19, 1929 in Norfolk to Harold and Adeline (Switzer) Lair. Patricia graduated from Benson High School in Omaha. She moved to Philadelphia at the age of 17 to pursue an opera career where she was signed after one tryout to the Metropolitan and offered a contract by the Cosmopolitan. The harshest critic in the area reviewed her dubbing her “the voice of the 20^th century” Patricia married Sidney “Sid” Johnson on October 7, 1949 in Omaha after meeting at the Omaha Community Playhouse where Sid starred in “John Loves Mary”. After living several different places all over the United States, Patricia and Sid moved to Beatrice in 1994. Patricia was a real estate broker for many years. She was a lifetime member of the sorority Sigma Alpha Iota and continued to share her talents teaching voice. She loved volunteering her time where she was usually in the leadership role.  Patricia enjoyed crocheting afghans and most especially singing for events up until almost 5 years ago.

Patricia is survived by 4 children, Sandra K. Stearns and husband Michael of Courtland, Kansas, Jeffrey A. Johnson of Chillicothe, Missouri, Marla J. McKee and husband Gary of Hutchinson, Kansas, James K. Johnson of Omaha; 8 grandchildren; 2 sisters, Darlene Mullen of Omaha, Penny Malburg and husband Elvin of Rio Rancho, New Mexico; 2 brothers, Gale A. Lair and wife Roberta J. of Big Timber, Montana, Dana Q. Lair and wife Roseanne of Roswell, New Mexico; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; and husband Sidney on June 11, 2015.

Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 PM Monday, July 18, 2016 at Hall Funeral Chapel in Auburn with Pastor Robert H. Frasier officiating. Interment will follow in the Johnson Cemetery in Johnson. Visitation will be held from 9 AM to 2 PM Monday, July 18, 2016 at Hall Funeral Chapel in Auburn. Memorials are suggested to the family’s choice in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be left online at www.hallfuneral.net. Hall Funeral Chapel in Auburn in charge of arrangements.

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