Johnston, Etta Owa – d. 1924

JOHNSTON

Posted By: Diana Wagner
Date: 7/13/2021 at 21:35:32

Colfax Lady Dies in California
Word was received here the last of the week of the death of Miss Etta Johnston, at her home in California. Miss Etta was very well known in Colfax where she has lived mot of her life until a few years ago when she went to California. She has been in failing health the past year but last reports were that she was much improved. Her death from heart trouble was an extreme shock to her friends here.
She taught music, was very active in the work of the Church and one of the main leaders in reorganizing the Colfax Woman’s Club. It was she who so greatly desired and had the inspiration of the club at some future date owning a beautiful Club Home.
Miss Ella started from California with the body Tuesday and they will arrive her Friday noon.
Funeral services will be held from the Presbyterian Church Sunday afternoon. Interment will be had in Oak Hill cemetery. Obituary next week.
Source: The Colfax Tribune; November 20, 1924

Miss Etta Owa Johnston died at her home at 771 Alamitos Avenue in Long Beach, California on Wednesday, November 12, 1924, at the age of fifty-four years.
She was the daughter of William and Marulllia Johnston and was born in Lynngrove, Iowa, where she spent her early girlhood days. Later she moved to Colfax, Iowa, where she grew to womanhood and where she spent the greater part of her life. In 1919 she with her sister, Miss Ella Johnston, removed to Long Beach, California where she continued to reside until her death.
As a child she was a great lover of music and as she grew older very naturally turned to the teaching of music as her life’s work. She studied music at Des Moines Baptist College and after her graduation from that institution she followed the profession of an instructor of music for many years and was known and greatly beloved by a large circle of people who, as children and young people had been her pupils.
After her removal to Long Beach, California, her failing health did not permit her to continue her much loved work, but her devotion to the study of music did not wane, and she identified herself with the Music Study Club of Long Beach, of which association she was an honored and highly esteemed member.
Early in life she accepted the Christian faith and identified her self with the Presbyterian Church of Colfax, of which church she was a most worthy, loyal and efficient member, being ever true to her profession until her death.
For many years she patiently endured the sufferings of impaired health with true Christian fortitude, and gave to all the sweet smile of Christian grace and gratitude that helped to lighten the burdens of those who shared in any way her fellowship.
A short funeral service was conducted by the Rev. George M. Rouke, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Long Beach at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 15th, at which there were present a large number of friends and neighbors, both of those who knew her while they too lived here in Colfax, and those who had come to know her since she had made her home in California to pay their last tribute of respect and honor to one whom all felt had helped to make earth brighter and better, and heaven nearer and dearer by her sweet consecrated life.
Her father, mother two sisters and two brothers having preceded her in death, she is survived by four brothers: James M. of Burlington, Colo., Oscar S. of Cedar Rapids, Ia., Staunton of Mt. Vernon, Ia., and Scott of Los Angeles, Calif., and by one sister, Miss Ella Johnston of Long Beach, Calif. With these the four sister-in-laws, as dear to her as her sisters, together with many nieces and nephews and a host of friends sorrow at the loss of one so beloved.
The funeral services were conducted from the Presbyterian Church on Sunday afternoon, Nov. 23rd at 2:30 o’clock, by Rev. George E. Chapman, pastor of the church. Interment being in the Oak Hill cemetery.
Card of Thanks – We wish to express our heartfelt thanks to our many neighbors and friends who so willingly extended their assistance and sympathy, during our recent bereavement. Also for the beautiful floral offerings. Ella Johnston and Brothers
Source: The Colfax Tribune; November 27, 1924