Irene Johnson
September 17, 1916 ~ May 14, 2007
Served by: Luce, Luze & Reck Funeral Homes
Kathryn Irene Johnson, 90, of Miller, died Monday, May 14, 2007 at the Texoma Medical Center in Denison, TX.
Funeral services were held at 10:00a.m., Saturday, May 19, 2007 at First Presbyterian Church, Miller, with Pastor Brian Jones officiating. Burial was in Hillcrest Cemetery, Miller, directed by Reck Funeral Home of Miller. Visitation was held from 3:00-7:00p.m., Friday, May 18 with a 7:00p.m., prayer service at Reck Funeral Home, Miller.
Kathryn Irene Benz was born September 17, 1916 to Fred and Nellie (Green) Benz at Thompson Illinois. She moved with her family to a farm in Park Township, Hand County, near Orient, SD in 1920 where she grew up and attended a country school for all eight years of grade school. She graduated from St. Lawrence High School in 1937.
She lived 10 years in Lacrosse, Wis. Moving back to Miller and worked at the J.C. Penny store. She married Ralph Johnson on August 20, 1947 at the Presbyterian Church in Aberdeen. She worked for 17 years as a nurse’s aide at Hand County Memorial Hospital in Miller; gave the Miller News from her home over the Pierre Radio Station, KGFX; babysat children in her home and then worked at Rexall Drug Store until her retirement in 1981. She lived in an apartment above Rexall Drug Store until 1979 when she moved into the Miller Plaza Apartment when it was built, and resided there until the time of her death. She loved her home at the Plaza and her many friends there, and was one of the only two original surviving residents.
Irene enjoyed doing all kinds of craft work, quilting, and counted cross-stitch. She sewed clothing for herself and her family and took great pride in embroidering the faces on the dolls and stuffed animals she made for her grandchildren, great grandchildren and children that she babysat for. She made numerous quilts throughout her life which included baby quilts for all of her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Miller, 50 year member of the Eastern Star, and was one of the original organizers of the Jolly Stitchers Club in 1950 of which she was still actively involved in at the time of her death. She will be remembered by all who knew her as a “Care Giver” – always there when someone needed help.
She is survived by her 3 children: Mary Johnson of Hickory NC, Linda (Phillip) Allison of Trenton TX, and David (Jean) Johnson of Miller; 5 Grandchildren and 7 Great Grandchildren.
Irene was preceded in death by her parents; husband in 1972; 2 brothers: Robert and William “Shorty” Benz; and 3 sisters: Marguerite Vens, Rachel Carl and Hazel Campbell.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to be made to the First Presbyterian Church building fund in Miller.
Funeral services were held at 10:00a.m., Saturday, May 19, 2007 at First Presbyterian Church, Miller, with Pastor Brian Jones officiating. Burial was in Hillcrest Cemetery, Miller, directed by Reck Funeral Home of Miller. Visitation was held from 3:00-7:00p.m., Friday, May 18 with a 7:00p.m., prayer service at Reck Funeral Home, Miller.
Kathryn Irene Benz was born September 17, 1916 to Fred and Nellie (Green) Benz at Thompson Illinois. She moved with her family to a farm in Park Township, Hand County, near Orient, SD in 1920 where she grew up and attended a country school for all eight years of grade school. She graduated from St. Lawrence High School in 1937.
She lived 10 years in Lacrosse, Wis. Moving back to Miller and worked at the J.C. Penny store. She married Ralph Johnson on August 20, 1947 at the Presbyterian Church in Aberdeen. She worked for 17 years as a nurse’s aide at Hand County Memorial Hospital in Miller; gave the Miller News from her home over the Pierre Radio Station, KGFX; babysat children in her home and then worked at Rexall Drug Store until her retirement in 1981. She lived in an apartment above Rexall Drug Store until 1979 when she moved into the Miller Plaza Apartment when it was built, and resided there until the time of her death. She loved her home at the Plaza and her many friends there, and was one of the only two original surviving residents.
Irene enjoyed doing all kinds of craft work, quilting, and counted cross-stitch. She sewed clothing for herself and her family and took great pride in embroidering the faces on the dolls and stuffed animals she made for her grandchildren, great grandchildren and children that she babysat for. She made numerous quilts throughout her life which included baby quilts for all of her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Miller, 50 year member of the Eastern Star, and was one of the original organizers of the Jolly Stitchers Club in 1950 of which she was still actively involved in at the time of her death. She will be remembered by all who knew her as a “Care Giver” – always there when someone needed help.
She is survived by her 3 children: Mary Johnson of Hickory NC, Linda (Phillip) Allison of Trenton TX, and David (Jean) Johnson of Miller; 5 Grandchildren and 7 Great Grandchildren.
Irene was preceded in death by her parents; husband in 1972; 2 brothers: Robert and William “Shorty” Benz; and 3 sisters: Marguerite Vens, Rachel Carl and Hazel Campbell.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to be made to the First Presbyterian Church building fund in Miller.
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You all are in our thoughts and prayers. We love you guys.
Dear Linda and family,
I know this is a difficult time for you all. Having had the privilage of knowing Mrs. Johnson, I know God has gained a wonderful angel for HIS kingdom. My prayers are with you as you celebrate the wonderful life of Mrs. Johnson.
Dear Linda and Phillip,
We are so sorry to hear of the loss of your mom. . . she was such a sweet lady, and I always enjoyed visiting with her at church when she came for her visits. . . I am thankful that you were able to spend some valuable time with her during her last days . . . God bless you and all the family in the days ahead, and I pray for your safe return to Trenton.
Dear Linda,
Rusty and I send our love and support that this difficult time. We always enjoyed visiting with your mother when she was down here in Trenton. You and all of your family are in our prayers. If there is anything that we can do to help, you know that we are just a phone call away.
Love to all of you,
Rusty, Carolyn, Payton, and Elizabeth
Linda and Family,
We are so sorry for the loss of your dear Mother. We are so glad you were able to spend the last days with her. We didn’t know your Mother well but she was sure a special woman to have raised such a wonderful daughter as you. We will pray for you and all your family at this most difficult time. May Our Lord wrap you in his arms and give you comfort.
We love you.
John and Brenda Williams
Linda, So sorry to hear about your mother. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Please let me know if there is anything I can do.
Our hearts and prayers are with you.
Irene was so fun to work with at Rexall. Always pleasant ,smiling and funny. Whenever I met her on the street she always stopped to visit. Even at 90 she would chat awhile. She will be missed by all who knew her.Bless her and sympathy to her family in their sorrow. Mardella and Louie Gortmaker
Our prayers are with you and your family during this trying time. May the Lord give you comfort and support to dry the tears and remember the good times.
Linda,
Sorry I am so late, but you were in my thoughts & prayers all through this difficult period. Your Mom left a wonderful Christian legacy in You & Heather, as well as in the many livs that she touched. It was a priviledge to have known her!