Lula A. “Lou” Johnston, 89, formerly of De Soto, died May 31, 2025, at Southbrook in Farmington. Ms. Johnston was known as a free spirit with a fun-loving personality and lots of sass. In her younger years, she loved dancing and socializing. In her senior years, she loved traveling and spent a decade of winters in Mississippi, where she made many friends and frequented many casinos. As a young girl, she was baptized in Bates Creek in the Baptist faith. She later converted to the Lutheran religion when raising her family. She will be remembered for loving unconditionally. Born July 14, 1935, in Mineral Point, she was the daughter of the late Oscar and Grace (Pitts) Barchus.
She is survived by four children: Nathan (Pam) Johnston of Troy, Ill., Debbie (Lou) Colmo of Arnold, Clifford Johnston of De Soto and Verla (Lee) Butcher of Park Hills; first cousins: Karen Wells of St. Louis and William Woosley of Texas; 11 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and 4 great-great-grandchildren.
The family would like to thank the staff at Serenity Hospice for their care.
Visitation is scheduled for 11 a.m. Thursday, June 5, at Dietrich-Mothershead Funeral Home, 220 N. Main, in De Soto. A graveside service is scheduled to follow at noon in Woodlawn Cemetery in De Soto. Arrangements are under the direction of Dietrich-Mothershead Funeral Home.