Danette Claire (Johnsen) Tiernan was born in Merced, California on February 15, 1937 to Ben and Gladys (Dimberg) Johnsen. Her early years were spent in Murphys, Le Grand, and Oroville where Ben worked the gold dredges in the area until the family–including brother Marvin and sister Jeannine–relocated to Turlock in 1949.
Danette met William (Bill) Tiernan at Lake Yosemite in Merced where he was working as a lifeguard–a sign of things to come as they would both spend summers teaching their grandchildren
to swim many years later. They married on December 1, 1956 and soon welcomed their two children, Christofer and Julie.
After graduating from Turlock High School in 1954, Danette took her first job as an office secretary in downtown Turlock. She would continue to work as a secretary, eventually working for the City of Turlock until her retirement in 1990. Her administrative skills were also put to use as she volunteered throughout the community, serving as secretary for the Carnegie Foundation Board and volunteering with Skandi-Fest, Meals on Wheels, and Beulah Covenant Church where she was a member of Ruth Circle Group. Danette was an accomplished artist and valued member of the local art community. Above all, Danette loved the Lord, was a devoted wife, mother, and beloved GranD to her four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Danette was reunited with her beloved Bill when she passed from this life into Heaven on Thursday, April 18th with her children by her side. Danette is preceded in death by her loving parents, brother Marvin and sister-in-law Elaine Johnsen, and her brother-in-law Barry Arndt. Danette is survived by her sister Jeannine Arndt, son Chris (Cyndi), daughter Julie (Curt Andre), grandchildren Kyle (Ashley), Meredith ( Josh Weimer), Morgan, and Austin (Katie), and five great-grandchildren (Delaney, Lane, Nixon, Oliver, and Bennett).
A visitation will be held on Thursday, May 2 from 5:00-7:00pm with a celebration of life on Friday, May 3 at 10:00am at Turlock Memorial Park and Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Jessica’s House (1225 W. Christolferson Parkway, Turlock 95382) or Covenant Care Hospice (125 N. Broadway, Suite 1A, Turlock 95380)
