Leola E. Johnson, 97
Leola E. Johnson, 97, Red Oak, died Tuesday, May 21, 2013 at the Stanton Care Center.
Leola Elizabeth Johnson, the daughter of Clarence and Anna (Thomazin) Pearson was born Sept. 17, 1915, in Genoa, Neb. Leola was raised on a farm near Genoa and graduated from high school at Genoa.
She married Earl M. Johnson Jan. 22, 1938, in Genoa and moved to a farm near Morton Mills. There she started her many years as a hard-working farm wife. In 1941, they moved to a farm southeast of Red Oak, which became the family farm. They raised four children, Myron, Cleone, Spencer and Lynn.
The family became members of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Red Oak. Leola was a very active member of the church for many years, serving in multiple capacities and positions. Some of them included Sunday School Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent, Altar Guild, Circle, Bible Study, sewing group and many hours in the church kitchen. If something needed doing, you could always count on Leola to do her part.
Her hobbies included gardening, studying the Bible, volunteering more than 1,700 hours at the Montgomery County Memorial Hospital’s Lemon Tree Gift Shop, and traveling throughout the United States and twice to Europe.
Leola was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Earl, Dec. 16, 1976; son, Myron; granddaughter, Shawnelle Johnson; son-in-law, Albert Sayers; and brother, Vernon Pearson.
Leola is survived by three children, Cleone Sayers of Inver Grove Heights, Minn., Spencer Johnson and wife Karan of Red Oak and Lynn Kopp and husband Stan of Manchester, Mo.; a granddaughter, Jennifer Huffman and husband Brian of Indianapolis; step-grandchildren: Scott Pendergraft and family of Harrison, Ark., Kai Swanson and family of Red Oak and Matt Pendergraft and family of Red Oak; two sisters, Dolores Benson of Overland Park, Kan. and Marjorie Pozhel of Seal Beach, Calif.; a brother, Carrol Pearson and wife Andrea of Columbus, Neb.; a brother-in-law, Morris Johnson and wife Wilma of Red Oak; a sister-in-law, Rachel Pearson of Columbus; and many caring nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
May God bless her memory and give strength to those who mourn. Matthew 25:23 “Well done good and faithful servant.”
Funeral services were Friday, May 24, at 2 p.m. at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Red Oak with Rev. Dr. George Hooper officiating. Burial followed in Evergreen Cemetery.
Memorials may be directed to the Bethlehem Lutheran Church.
Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at www.sldfuneralhome.com. Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.