Myrna Ailene (HUGHES) JOHNSON

ALLEN, HUGHES, JOHNSON, MAINQUIST, GIBBENS

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 6/27/2012 at 03:17:25

OBITUARY ~ MYRNA AILENE JOHNSON
April 12, 1926 ~ November 20, 2011

Myrna Ailene JOHNSON, the daughter of Russell Santford and Lois Edna (ALLEN) HUGHES was born April 12, 1926 at Clio, Iowa. She passed away on Sunday, November 20, 2011 at the Stanton Care Center, Stanton, Iowa at the age of 85 years, 7 months and 8 days.

Myrna was raised in Kellerton, Iowa where she graduated high school. She received an Associate Degree from Graceland College at Lamoni, and her B.A. from Simpson College at Indianola. She earned graduate degrees from U.N.O., including a Master's Degree in Elementary School Administration, Secondary School Administration, Guidance and Counseling, and an Education Specialist Degree in School Administration and Curriculum. She started her teaching career in 1946 teaching junior high at Stanton for two years. Myrna then taught in Villisca for several years before returning to teach at Stanton.

She was united in marriage to Robert E. JOHNSON on August 19, 1951 in Kellerton, Iowa. Myrna continued to teach and serve as guidance counselor and principal in Stanton until 1969 when she became the guidance counselor for Nishna Valley Schools. She worked there until her official retirement in 1988. After retiring, Myrna taught college courses for Buena Vista and Iowa Western, in Clarinda, Shenandoah, and at "Bethesda University". She then returned AGAIN to Stanton to be guidance counselor until 1999.

Although she was not even remotely Swedish, she took an avid interest in her husband's Swedish heritage, and was instrumental in initiating Santa Lucia and Svenska Skolen, which are woven into the fabric of life in Stanton.

Myrna loved teaching and especially loved her students. She could remember nearly all of them, and would often stop strangers to inquire how their lives had turned out. Inevitably they would turn out to be one of her students, and the discussion would turn to their children, grand children, and perhaps one or more of the "naughty" or "precious" boys or girls that were in the same class. Because she cared so deeply for each of her students, their triumphs and tragedies became her own, and they shaped her life as much as she shaped theirs.

Myrna was a member of Mamrelund Lutheran Church, where she had served as choir director and active in the WELCA. She served on the Stanton Library board, was on the advisory board for the Stanton Swedish Heritage and Cultural Center, a member of Delta Kappa Gamma and Entre Nous Federated Club.

Myrna was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Robert E. JOHNSON on June 26, 2002; brothers: Allen Jackson HUGHES and Arlen Franklin HUGHES; and son-in-law, Steve MAINQUIST.

Myrna is survived by her daughter, Sheila MAINQUIST of Red Oak, IA; son, Neil JOHNSON and wife Terese of Waverly, NE; five grandchildren: Christine and John MAINQUIST, Christopher, Lynnea and Alyson JOHNSON; brother, Russell "Arvid" HUGHES and wife Julie of Salisbury, NC; and sister, Myna Ione GIBBENS of McFarland, WI; nieces, nephews, other relatives and a host of friends.

May God bless her memory and give strength to those who mourn.

Celebration of Life Service were held on Wednesday, November 23, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. at Mamrelund Lutheran Church, Stanton, Iowa. Burial in Mamre Cemetery, Stanton with Rev. Dr. Eric KUTZLI, Officiating. Visitation with the family present on Tuesday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home. Memorials to: Mamrelund Lutheran Church, Stanton Swedish Heritage and Cultural Center or Stanton Library. Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at www.sldfuneralhome.com

Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

SOURCE: villisca.com/Obituaries2011.htm

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, June of 2012

Ringgold Obituaries maintained by Tony Mercer.
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