Arlene Amelia Johnson, 96, of Columbus Junction, passed away on Thursday, January 27, 2022 in Columbus Junction, Iowa. Funeral Services will be 10:30 a.m. on Monday, January 31, 2022 at Snyder & Hollenbaugh Funeral & Cremation Services of Columbus Junction. Burial will be in Columbus City Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 30, 2022 at the funeral home. A memorial has been established for Haven’s Hope Thrift Store in memory of Arlene. Sympathy notes may be left for the family at www.sandhfuneralservice.com.
Arlene was born March 8, 1925, in rural Columbus Junction on the farm of her parents, Rueben P. Allen and Bessie F. (Weese) Allen. On July 10, 1941, she married Earl Johnson in Kahoka, Missouri.
Arlene and Earl had four children: Earlene (Verl) Lekwa of Columbus Junction, Harold (Paulette) Johnson of Muscatine, Marty (Jayne) Johnson of Wapello, and Don Johnson (deceased). Grandchildren: Jodie Johnson, Bart Johnson, Jeff (Tasha) Lekwa, David Lekwa, Brenda (Craig) Wilson, Monty (Dyan) Johnson. Step Grandchildren: Tim (Stephanie) Sill, Thomas (Jessi) Staley; Great Grandchildren: Jarrett (Hannah Kephart) Lekwa, J.D. (Karley Shlee) Lekwa, Jobie Lekwa, Justus Lekwa, Kayla Marquardt, Ruger (Racheal) Dean, Remington (Nolan) Amelon, Brooke Wilson, Trevor Johnson, Haley Steinke, Tyson Steinke, Dakota Johnson. Step Great Grandchildren: Nathan Sill, Brianna Sill, Lawrence Staley, Marilou Staley. Great-Great Grandchildren: Kendyl Epperson, Brittney Wilson, Riley Amelon, Lane Amelon, Wren Lekwa. She is survived by one sister, Vivian Kay Wilson of Columbus Junction and many nieces and nephews and special friend Jennine Wolf of Washington, Iowa
She was preceded in death by her parents Rueben and Bessie Allen, husband Earl Johnson, son Don Johnson and grandson Joseph Michael Johnson, three brothers: Rueben Dean Allen, Don Palmer Allen, Ronald Daryl Allen; five sisters: Erma Brown, Corrinne Moyer, Eula Deese, Naomi Stites and Geneva Snyder.
Arlene grew up in the rural area she was born in. She attended Pleasant View country school. She attended High School in Columbus Junction and later received her GED.
Arlene, loving known as Beanie, enjoyed traveling or just going for a ride in the car. She loved visiting with family and friends and was ready to help when there was a need. She baby sat for many children over the years and continued up into her early 90s. She was one of those last “chefs” who could mix up a dish or pie without a recipe. She enjoyed country music and listening to books on tape.
Growing flowers and plants brought her a lot of joy. She could stick a broken piece of flower in to the ground and it would grow.
She and Earl lived in Arizona for several years. She loved being close to two of her sisters and nephews there and going up to the mountains whenever they could. She remained friends with many of the people she met while they lived there.
She was proud of her family and enjoyed spending time with them as often as she could.