Rita Gardner Johnston, 07 Aug 1944 - 06 July 2007

JOHNSTON, GARDNER, ROGERS, LEHNST

Posted By: Netha M Meyer (email)
Date: 7/7/2007 at 11:35:28

Williamsburg–Rita Jane Gardner Johnston was born August 7, 1944 near Williamsburg, Iowa, the daughter of Lyall and Nadine (Rogers) Gardner. She graduated from Williamsburg High School in 1962. Rita was united in marriage to Francis Johnston on June 19, 1965 in Williamsburg. To this marriage they were blessed with three children. They later divorced. Rita lived in Maquoketa from 1968-1978, Manchester from 1978-1985, Washington from 1985-1995 and returned to Williamsburg in 1995. Rita has worked at the Dress Barn at Tanger Mall in Williamsburg as a sales associate for the last 9 years. She was a member of the St. Paul United Methodist Church in Williamsburg. Rita died Friday, July 6, 2007 at Marengo Memorial Hospital in Marengo after an extended battle with cancer at the age of 62 years. Rita is survived by her three children: Jeffrey Johnston (Melissa) of Lapeer, Michigan, Angela Hopson (Mike) of West Des Moines and Susan M. Kennedy (Terry) of Raymore, Missouri; eight grandchildren: Chase, Drew and Grant Johnston, Brad, Mitchell and Nicholas Hopson and Grace and Sarah Kennedy; her mother: Nadine Gardner of Marengo; two brothers: Dale Gardner (Janet) of Cedar Rapids and Paul Gardner (Betty) of Coralville; a sister: Jeanie Lehnst (John) of Williamsburg; six nieces and nephews: Alan Gardner, Steve Gardner, Sheri McDonald, Lori McMahon, Jason Lehnst and Jamie Muse. She was preceded in death by her father. Celebration of Life Service will be 2:00 pm Sunday, July 8, 2007 at the Uhlmann-Powell Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Williamsburg. Burial will be at the Oak Hill Cemetery. Pastor James Parks will officiate. Visitation will be Saturday from 3:00 to 7:00 pm at the funeral home. Memorials are for the St Paul United Methodist Church building fund.

Powell Funeral Home
Cedar Rapids Gazette 7 July 2007, 4b