Bette Gilmore Johnson, 1922-2009

JOHNSON, GILMORE, HOWE, KAISER, BRAMLEY, COGLEY, STORM, MUIER

Posted By: Clay County IAGenWeb Coordinator (email)
Date: 6/23/2012 at 17:55:05

Bette Eunice Johnson nee Gilmore of Royal introduced her particular brand of enthusiasm and perseverance in life on July 10, 1922, when she arrived early for her parents, Ray George (Jeff) and Amanda Louise Sophia Maria Gilmore nee Penningroth on a farm near Hartley.

As a youngster her parents settled in Arnolds Park where she grew up and eventually met her husband, Emery William Johnson. They married in Royal on September 29, 1940, at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church. When Emery shipped off to WW II, she went to work for her in-law's grocery store/restaurant in Terrace Park. That job provided her with many happy memories.

After the war, the couple took up farming around the Greenville and Royal areas.

This union was soon blessed with children and over time there were four: Kathie, Emery Jr., Tim and Lisa.

Eventually they moved to Spencer and when Emery passed away in 1970, Bette moved to Royal where she resided until moving to Hartley in 2006.

Bette was a full time homemaker in her life but her real talent and love was helping others. She did volunteer work for the Headstart Program and now defunct Helpline. She gave unselfishly to her family and anyone in need. Her motto was, "there's always room for one more at the table."

She was a long time NASCAR fan and Rusty Wallace was the man. She loved to play cards, dominoes and any other game you'd ask for.

She passed away at the age of 86 at the Community Memorial Health Center in Hartley. Having given time "a run for its money," she peacefully dropped out of the race on March 5, 2009. She will be greatly missed.

Left to treasure her memory are her children: Kathie Howe, Emery William Johnson, Jr., Timothy Johnson, and Lisa Kaiser and her husband, Kevan; her grandchildren: Jeff Bramley, Molly Cogley and her husband, Todd and their children, Amanda Storm and her husband, Corey and their children; one brother, Bob Gilmore; one sister, Peggy Muier and a myriad of people who's lives she touched.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ray and Amanda Gilmore; her in-laws, William and Kathrine Johnson; brothers: Donald, Frank and Eugene (Ip) Gilmore; sisters: Jessie Goettsch, Darlene and Pat Gilmore; and granddaughters: Sherry Briney and Shelly Howe.

Source: Source: Warner Funeral Home, Spencer, Iowa (http://warnerfuneralhome.com/).

Interment in Willow Creek cemetery
 

Clay Obituaries maintained by Kris Meyer.
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