Faith Lucy Meppen Johnson, 83, of Rapid City died Wednesday, April 18, 2012 at Rapid City Regional Hospital. She was born on May 18, 1928 on the farm of her parents, Arthur and Jessie Meppen, near Racine, MN. The doctor lived 12 miles away so he stayed at the farm until she was born. She was the valedictorian of the Stewartville, MN class of 1945 and remained able to recite her graduation speech along with poetry she memorized in her school days until her passing. She entered the Army's Cadet Nursing Program that fall and took nurses' training at Bethesda Lutheran Hospital. Following the training, her plan to see the world in the Army led her to the Ft. Meade VA Hospital in SD in 1948. The road less travelled made all of the difference. In the fall of 1948, she met an orderly at Ft. Meade named Otto Johnson. They married four months later during the Blizzard of '49 and stayed married for 56 years until Otto's death in 2005. She remained in nursing for almost all of those years, working in doctors' offices and hospitals and ultimately finding her true ministry in the care of the elderly. She became Director of Nursing at Hillview Nursing Home and eventually at the new Westhills Village Health Care, where she retired in 1990. Faith and Otto also had an entrepreneurial streak that led them into the nascent private campground industry. She was involved in almost every aspect of the business during their ten-year ownership of Rushmore Campground, including cooking at the restaurant and, of course, nursing guests, family and staff through the injuries and illnesses that come with life in the outdoors. Later they operated Forest Service campgrounds in the Black Hills and started Kamper Kars, a rental car company catering to RVers. Later she found herself back in nursing as she cared for Otto during his final illness. Faith and Otto not only worked together, they travelled together and raised four children together, three daughters and a son. Louise and Tom Polkinghorn live in Austin, Texas. Laurel and Curt Talley live in Mitchell, SD. Beth and Dave Workman live in Logansport, IN. Al and Michele Johnson live near Hill City. In gratitude for having Faith for a mother, the four children blessed her with nine grandchildren to cherish: David (Michelle) Polkinghorn, Hillary (Dave) Johnson Fulton, Beth (Galen) Polkinghorn McQuillen, Eric (Amy) Johnson, Jennifer Polkinghorn, John Workman, Dan Workman, Curtis Talley, and Katie Workman. To complete her joy, she had four-plus great-grandchildren: Miley Johnson, Audrey Polkinghorn, Cooper Johnson, Jacey Johnson, and "Potential" Fulton. Faith was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Rapid City for over 55 years. She was a leader of the American Legion Auxiliary. She loved gardening, bowling, and many arts & crafts, including sewing, knitting, painting, and piano. She was an avid reader and loved word games. She received wonderful care from Visiting Angels, Westhills Village, and Regional Hospital. Faith lived a life defined by her name. She combined deep love of the Lord with humor and courage. She faced adversity and health issues with a steadfast spirit that refused to complain. She had a strong drive to live yet was perfectly comfortable with the thought of meeting her Maker. There will be a visitation with her family at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home on Sunday evening from 5:30 to 7:30. The funeral will be Monday, April 23, at 11:00 AM at First Presbyterian Church followed by a reception and luncheon at the church. Rev. Eric Grinager, close family friend and almost-son, will officiate with the caring and capable assistance of Rev. Diane Janssen-Hemmen. Interment will be at Black Hills National Cemetery at 3:00 PM. Faith's grandchildren will be her pallbearers and her great-grandchildren will be her honorary pallbearers. Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church.