Local News - August 2002

Lincoln honors a friend

Dot Johnson affects many lives during 60 years

By ALICE SMITH, LTN Staff Writer

August 2, 2002 - Dot Johnson has been working at the County Extension office for 60 years.

But perhaps even more amazing than her job history and background is the number of people whose lives she’s affected.

Those people packed the Citizens Center Thursday in an effort to show Johnson how important she is — not just to the extension office, but to them.

Johnson has had numerous newspaper articles written about her and her incredible achievements. Her friends shared their own stories Thursday on how she inspired and touched them with her knowledge, personality and indefatigable spirit.
 

Kevin Starr

Starr is the county extension director, and he works very closely with Johnson.

“Dot is special as an individual,” Starr says. “She’s a person a lot of people admire beyond what she does at work.”

Johnson is extremely dedicated, and her emphasis is on helping the client.

Her extensive knowledge and long list of contacts are irreplaceable.

“Whenever Dot decides to retire, there will be no way to replace the experience she has. Fortunately, she’s not going to retire tonight.

“You really can’t adequately describe how much she means to the extension service and the people of Lincoln County.  It’s difficult to put into words.”

Joyce Dorsey

Dorsey works as a secretary in the extension office with Johnson.  She describes Johnson as a perfectionist — all her files are in the right place.

“She’s an encourager,” Dorsey says. “And she never has a bad word to say about anybody.”

Johnson’s kindness and willingness to help others are what makes her special, Dorsey says.

“She loves her job.”

When Johnson was younger, she wanted to become a missionary.

And while that plan didn’t pan out, Dorsey says Johnson has indeed fulfilled her dream.

“She’s always considered this her missionary work — she helps and educates others.”

Caroline Goodwin

A retired 4-H agent, Goodwin can’t say enough about Johnson.

It is Johnson’s tremendous knowledge of what she does — agriculture, 4-H and some home economics — that sets her apart from others.

“If anybody wants to know something, we say ‘Go ask Dot’,” Goodwin says. “She knows, or she gets the information.”

Johnson’s organizational skills are incredible, Goodwin says. 

But it’s her customer service skills which set her apart from others.

“She’s very caring,” Goodwin says. “She takes care of that person when they walk through the door. Clients and people who have been here appreciate that.”

Johnson is at the extension office to make people’s lives better, Goodwin says.

“She firmly believes in the mission of extension.”

Patti Nicoletti

It’s Johnson’s love for her job that makes her stand out, Nicoletti says.

“You would have to love what you do to stay with it that long. It’s the main thing in her life.”

And Johnson is more than a good employee and co-worker.

“She’s also a friend,” says Nicoletti, who has worked with Johnson for six years.  “She always takes time out, she’s never in a rush.”

Her clients come first.  They are the most important thing to Johnson, Nicoletti says.

And despite the huge changes in her work environment, such as the switch from typewriters to computers, Johnson has not slowed down.

“She picks up on it,” Nicoletti says.  “And there isn’t a form that she does not know where it is.”

Without Johnson, things wouldn’t be the same.

“We don’t know what we’d do if she left,” Nicoletti says. “Oh, mercy, we’d have to learn a whole lot!”

Linda Drum

Drum attended the state workshop with Johnson on her 50th anniversary with the extension office.

Johnson was recognized, she says, and she got up and sang a song for everyone.

It is Johnson’s warmness that is special to Drum.

“She’s refreshing,” Drum says. “I enjoy working with her very much.”

Johnson’s friendly personality shines through in all situations.

“I like Dot — her personality — I just like Dot.”

Drum, who is a County GIS technician, met Johnson five years ago.

Melinda Houser

The office is like Johnson’s family, Houser says.  She’s known Johnson for 30 years.

“It’s a personal thing for her,” Houser says. “This is her life — she’s very dedicated.”

Johnson even hates to take her vacation.

“She’s fantastic.  She’s punctual, efficient, she knows where information is, and she can get it in a minute.”

The attention Johnson shows customers is unmatched.

“She’ll go the extra mile to help customers. And she’ll follow through.”

Major challenges and changes are met with Johnson’s willingness to learn.  She adjusts well, Houser says.

“She gives 150 to 200 percent of herself to the job. Not many people can say that.”

© 2001 Lincoln Times-News  

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