BARDSTOWN JOHNSON, LAURA ESTHER BROWN, 93, died Tuesday, March 10, 2009 at Colonial Health and Rehab Center. Mrs. Johnson was born July 30, 1915 in Kansas City, MO and was a 1932 graduate of East High School. She worked at Bruce Dodson Insurance Company until she married her first husband, Joseph Ramon Arnold in 1935. She then moved to Louisville in 1937 after the flood. Laura worked with her first husband as an artist as well as for Julius Schmutz Manufacturing Company during World War II. She divorced after the war ended and took a position with Kesselring-Netherton Insurance Agency in the late 1940's and became manager before retiring in the late 1970's. She married her second husband, Claybourne I. Johnson in 1949. He passed away in 1987. She moved to Bardstown in 1990. Mrs. Johnson was a member of the Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, a long-time member of the Eastern Star and a Kentucky Colonel since 1975. Mrs. Johnson was predeceased by her parents, Ora and Signe Karling Brown; a grandson, Johnson Friel; a sister, Barbara Brown; a brother, Richard F. Brown; a nephew, Jerome R. Brown; and both her spouses. She is survived by her only child, Laura Jo Arnold Friel (William F.), of Bardstown; a granddaughter, Dr. Teresa L. Friel, of Chicago, IL; a great-granddaughter, Desiree Rybolt, at Indiana University; a nephew, James R. Brown (Joan), of Independence, MO; and several great-nieces and great-nephews in the Kansas City area. A graveside service will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, March 14, 2009 at Resthaven Memorial Park in Louisville. Visitation is 4-7 p.m. Friday, March 13, 2009 at Mann and Greenwell Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Nelson County.