Johnson, Nettie Ellona (Brown)

JOHNSON, BROWN, PADEN, THORSTON, JACKSON

Posted By: Daniel Shaul (email)
Date: 11/9/2021 at 17:09:21

Iowa, The Hamburg Reporter, Apr. 6, 1950, page 1

MRS. W.C. JOHNSON0N CLOSES USEFUL LIFE

Mrs. Walter C. Johnson, a lifelong resident of this community, passed away Friday evening at the Hamburg hospital, following an illness of several months. Mrs. Johnson's health began to fail some three months ago, but responding to treatment, her case was not considered serious until the past few months. She had undergone treatment which seemed beneficial but during the past week, hope for her recovery was lost. She has been active in community and church work for many years and while her influence will live on, she will be greatly missed.

Nettie Ellona Brown, youngest daughter of Henry and Betty C. Brown, was born at Syracuse, Nebraska, March 16, 1884 and passed away at Hamburg, Iowa, March 31, 1950 at the age of 66 years and 15 days. She came to Hamburg with her widowed mother, brother and sister at the age of eleven years and spent the remainder of her life here, with the exception of a year when she was superintendent of schools in Amity, Colorado. Mrs. Johnson graduated from Hamburg high school in 1902 and attended Tabor college. She taught for severals years in rural schools in Fremont county and one year in the Hamburg grade school. It was in 1909-10 that she taught in Colorado.

On August 27, 1910, she was united in marriage to Walter C. Johnson, who survives her. To this union seven children were born: Marie Paden of Omaha; Beulah Fox of Riverton; Ralph of Boston, Mass.; Carter of Hamburg, Ruth Thorston of Waterloo, Nebr., and Wendell of Hamburg. One son, Bobbie, died in 1932 at the age of 10 years. She is also survived by thirteen grandchildren, on sister, Mrs. Hurtle Jackson of Sidney, other close relatives and many friends. Her only brother, Geo. A. Brown, passed away in 1947.

She was deeply devoted to her family, unselfish in all of her thinking and kind to everyone throughout her life. She was a tireless worker in all her community, educational and philanthropical projects. She was a member of the Hamburg Methodist church from young womanhood and served as president of the W.S.C.S. for seven consecutive years. The society prospered under her leadership. She was a leader in the Parent-Teachers Association, the Fremont County Farm Bureau and in 4-H club work for almost thirty years and assisted in Red Cross and bond drives for many years. In 1949 she was chosen the most outstanding homemaker in Fremont County and represented the county in Red Oak and Omaha. It is largely through her efforts that the Veterans Memorial was built in the city park. She served as president of the United States Women, the sponsoring organization, from the time of its organization until her passing. She will be missed, not only by her family and friends, but by all who knew her.

Funeral services were held Monday, April 3 at 2 p.m. at the Johnson Funeral Home, conducted by her pastor, Rev. C.C. Latta. Rev. J.H. Freedline delivered the sermon. Burial was made in the Hamburg cemetery.