Irene Johnson

September 8, 1918 - March 19, 2014

Ruth Irene Johnson, age 95, of the Eastern Star Masonic Home in Boone, Iowa and formerly of Stratford, Iowa passed away on Saturday morning, March 15, 2014, at the Eastern Star Masonic Home following a brief illness in the loving presence of family members. Irene was born at home in rural Stratford, Iowa on September 8, 1918, the second daughter of Budd E. Patterson and Jennie Ruth (Swedlund) Patterson. She grew up on her parents’ farm, walked to country school, and graduated from Stratford High School in 1936. She married Lester R. Johnson on March 7, 1943, in her parents’ home. The couple had four children, who survive: Marlin (and wife Claudia) of Boone, Iowa; Elaine (and husband Tim James) of Silver Spring, Maryland; Paul (and wife Lauri) of Hudson, Ohio, and Larry (and wife Karon) of Harrison, Arkansas. Irene had thirteen grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. After being a farm wife for nearly 33 years, Irene became a Certified Nursing Assistant and worked at the Stratford Care Center for 7 years. She also was the site manager for the Elderbridge Agency Congregate Meals Program in Stratford for 29 years until her retirement in 2005 at age 87. Her family and her church were always at the center of her life. Irene was a lifelong member of the South Marion United Methodist Church. She is remembered for many wonderful traits, including her powerful work ethic, her incredible memory for people and events, and her special caring for others. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Lester, who passed away in February of 1976; her brother Loren in September of 2001; sister Eleanor in August of 2005; and step-granddaughter Abigail Lipply. Services will be held on Thursday morning, March 20th at 10:00 a.m. at the South Marion United Methodist Church in Stratford with Revs. Dot Hasler and Gina Spohnheimer officiating. Interment will be in the South Marion Cemetery southeast of Stratford. Friends may call at the Calvary United Methodist Church in Stratford on Wednesday evening from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. with the family present during that time to greet friends. Visitations will continue on Thursday morning at the South Marion United Methodist Church from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service. In memory of Irene, memorials may be directed to the South Marion United Methodist Church.