Johnson, (Marion) Gene (Keown) (1925 - 2020)

JOHNSON, KEOWN, RIKE, BROWN, GRAY, SCANDRETT, HARPER, WARD

Posted By: Denise Wurner (email)
Date: 12/1/2021 at 17:13:36

Name of deceased: Marion Gene Johnson (nee Keown)

Aged: 95 yrs, 11 mo, 23 days

Residence: Elm Crest Senior Living, Harlan, Shelby County, IA

Born: Nov. 12, 1925; Gilman City, Daviess and Harrison Counties, MO

Died: Nov. 5, 2021; Elm Crest Senior Living, Harlan, Shelby County, IA

Funeral services: Arrangements pending

Survived by: Daughters, Becky (spouse, Eldon) Rike of Corning, IA, and Amy Brown of Delafield, WI; grandchildren, Lisa (spouse, Rob) Gray of Ankeny, IA, Katie (spouse, Jeff) Scandrett of Norwalk, IA, Dan Rike of Corning, IA, Chris (spouse, Tricia) Brown of Madison, WI, and Aly Brown of Hartford, TN; great-grandchildren, Stephanie Gray, Derek Gray, Kara Scandrett, and Khloe Scandrett; brother-in-law, Dr. Bill Harper of Hugoton, KS; nieces; nephews; other family members and friends

Predeceased by: Parents, Ferris and Tressie (nee Ward) Keown; husband, Harold “Swede” Johnson; sister, Delores Harper

Education: Graduated from high school in Gilman City, IA; she then attended Northwest Missouri State and finished 3 years of education to be a dietitian; she was president of her sorority while there.

Religious affiliation: Member, United Methodist Church, Harlan, IA and was active with the women’s circle there

Military service: n/a

Marriage: Harold “Swede” Emil Johnson; June 13, 1948; Gilman, MO.

Employment: During the years of WWII, Gene worked at North American Airlines, and was the first female hired as a drafter in the engineering department. Additionally, she taught for a year at a one-room school. After her marriage and end of the war, she worked as a receptionist/bookkeeper for Dr. Joseph Spearing’s office in Harlan, IA

Hobbies/Interests: Member, Eastern Star, PEO, and the Harlan Golf and Country Club; enjoyed playing bridge and was a member of several bridge clubs; enjoyed following Harlan Sports, Iowa State Cyclone and Iowa Hawkeye Sports.

Sources: harlanonline.com; pauleyjones.com