Name to a Face: Lonna Johnson "Wizard with the Scissors"

Lonna Johnson was born in Butte, but was raised in Whitehall. As far as she knows, she was in the first kindergarten class to be held at the Whitehall schools, making her an original Trojan! She grew up in the Whitehall school system, graduating in 1988.

After graduation, she took odd jobs cleaning houses, as well as working at A&W for a year. She hadn't known what she had wanted to do with her life, but her Aunt lived in Great Falls told her that a hairstylist would always have a job no matter where they went; and so Johnson made her way to

Missoula to attend barbering college. She started her schooling in 1989, graduating in 1990.

Finding her way back to Whitehall, Johnson secured at a job at a barbershop in Butte, "Your Father's Mustache", and worked there for four years. She met her future husband, Rich, married in 1991, and purchased their Waterloo property in 1994.

That year was a busy one, as she bought "Dave's Barbershop" from Gayle Strozzi. Johnson has been the wizard with the scissors in Whitehall since June of 1994.

Johnson has been heavily entwined in the Whitehall community since moving back from Missoula and opening up shop. With two children of her own, she has watched the community's children grow up as well, and become best friends with many of her customers.

Johnson has been instrumental in the Whitehall Saddle Club, having joined soon after establishing herself in Whitehall, and immediately working to revive it. As the Secretary for the Saddle Club, she helps organize about twenty or more events every summer for the Club.

Not only does Johnson work with the Saddle Club, but serves on the Town's Rec Board as the Saddle Club representative and assisted with 4H activities when her children participated. As her children developed interests in high school rodeo, she learned how to time rode as in order to participate with them. Between her children, their ranch, her business, and the Saddle Club, Johnson is very busy!

Busy, but also humble and helpful. Johnson is known for helping out anyone passing through who needs a horse put up for a night, as well as lending a hand wherever needed. She is well known and loved by all of her patrons and friends.

Whitehall is home and she loves that the small-town atmosphere can harbor so many thriving family-owned businesses. One area she sees that could improve is the organizations and involvement from townspeople - volunteers are hard to come by and active members even harder. Many people are eager to volunteer and see the final products, but not always willing to put the hard work in behind the scenes. More volunteers and active workers would make the town a bigger success than it already is!