Vicki Rae Kocan Johnson had a hot glue gun – and she wasn’t afraid to use it. Born in Berwyn, Illinois, Vicki grew up in La Grange with her parents, Victor and Carol Kocan and her sister, Cheryl. The Kocans moved to Colorado in 1969 where they built their dream home in Ouray. Vicki graduated Summa Cum Laude from Fort Lewis College in 1973 with a degree in History and Summa Cum Laude from the University of Colorado in 1976 with a master’s degree in American History.
In 1976, Vicki married K. Michael Johnson (Mike) and the couple lived in Ouray. Vicki volunteered at the Ouray County Historical Society where she managed acquisitions and collections for the county Museum. In 1978, they moved to Evergreen, Colorado, where Vicki began a lifetime of community service. She was a Colorado Master Gardener, worked on the Bergen Elementary Accountability Committee, volunteered as a school aide and curator at the Hiwan Homestead Museum, worked as a Jefferson County volunteer naturalist, served as a P.T.A. board member for several years, was a volunteer staff assistant to the conservation department at the Denver Art Museum, worked on a 5- year effort to create a nature study area at Bergen elementary school, volunteered with the Evergreen Animal Protective League, and volunteered at Colorado Children’s Hospital.
Vicki cared deeply not only for her own children but for countless other children in her community. She served as a co-leader for both of her daughter’s girl scout troops, taking them from little Daisies in first grade to amazing women in high school. She often volunteered to be the “room mom” at school, painted sets for plays, planned barn dances, and constructed awe-inspiring after-prom parties and Madrigal Balls.
Vicki was known for her hand-crafted cards and gifts and always going above and beyond to let everyone around her know just how much she loved them.
On February 16, 2024, Vicki succumbed to a two-year battle with heart disease. She is survived by her husband, K. Michael Johnson, and her two daughters, Heather McFadden, and Syd Johnson.
A garden party celebrating her life will be held in Evergreen on May 5, 2024 at 1:00 PM at the Evergreen Lake House and a second celebration will be held in Ouray in late July. Crippin Funeral Home is assisting Vicki’s family, 970-249-2121.
A celebration of life will be held at the Ouray Community Center at 1 p.m. July 28. Come as you are.
