Julia Theoline Johnson Stearns 1905-1963

STEARNS, JOHNSON, HATLAND, EGERTSON, AANONSON, MOHNS

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 2/9/2014 at 16:55:31

Mrs. Willys Stearns Dies; Rites Tuesday
Mrs. Willys (Julia Theoline) Stearns, 57, died Saturday [June 29, 1963] night at her home in Estherville. The cause of death was attributed to cancer. She had been in failing health for the past six months.

The former Julia Johnson was born on Sept. 24, 1905, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Anton Johnson in Petersburg, Minn. She received her education in the Petersburg schools and attended Augusta College in Sioux Falls. She was married to Willys L. Stearns on Sept. 1, 1929, in Estherville. Prior to moving to Estherville in 1937, they farmed in the Primghar, Petersburg and Round Lake, Minn., areas.

Mrs. Stearns taught school at Hills and Round Lake, Minn., and for the past five years worked part time at the Gospel Book Store.

She was a member of the Estherville Lutheran Church and active in the local American Lutheran Church Women and in Junior Lutherans. She was assistant Sunday School superintendent and head of the primary department of vacation Bible school for many years.

Surviving are her husband, one daughter, Mrs. Kenneth (Joyce) Hatland of Lake Mills, two sons, Marlon of Algona and Richard at home, and six grandchildren. She is also survived by four sisters, Mrs. Ed (Bella) Egertson of Petersburg, Miss Elma Johnson of Petersburg, Mrs. O.J. (Mina) Johnson of Forest City, Mrs. Lewis (Emma) Aanonson of Estherville, four brothers, Harry Johnson of Petersburg, the Rev. C.O. Johnson of Sioux Falls, John Johnson of Jackson and Arthur Johnson of Echo, Minn. She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers and one sister.

Family services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Estherville Lutheran Church with the Rev. L.A. Mathre officiating and public services will follow at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Roy Hendrickson officiating. Burial will be in Estherville Lutheran Cemetery.

Friends may call at the Reese Funeral Home from today until 11 a.m. Tuesday at which time the body will be taken to the church to lie in state until time of service. The casket will not be opened following the services.

The pallbearers, nephews of Mrs. Stearns, will be Glenn Aanonson, Eldon Aanonson, Robert Johnson, Donald Egertson, Charles Stearns and Wayne Mohns. (Estherville Daily News, Estherville, IA, July 1, 1963)