Betsy Ann Johnston, 95, of Mount Pleasant passed away on Monday, August 31, 2026, at Park Place in Mount Pleasant.
Betsy was born on February 26, 1931, in Oquawka, Illinois, the daughter of Wilbert and Viola (Tee) McCabe. She was united in marriage to Donald Johnston on June 14, 1952, at Gladstone, Illinois. From this union four children were born, LeAnn, Mark, Mary and Ruth.
Betsy was a farm wife, strong, smart, and tender of heart. She was devoted to her family and friends, generous with her time, and always willing to offer a listening ear. She was a very good cook. She also worked at jobs in Mt. Pleasant, including at Metromail and at Alaniz and Sons. At Alaniz she became a customer service representative, and she enjoyed talking to clients from all over the country and beyond. Betsy was active in several United Methodist Churches over the years. She was also a member of the T.T.T. organization, where she promoted youth development by helping send young girls to a camping program. After retirement she made many Swedish embroidery blankets for family members, and she was an avid reader. She had an easy sense of humor, had special relationships with all her family members and made friends of others wherever she went.
Betsy is survived by her children—LeAnn (Sheridan/Ed) Farley of Reinbeck, Iowa, Mark (Vicki) Johnston of Mt. Pleasant, Mary (Dick Hines) Johnston of Iowa City and Ruth (Shuji Moriichi) of North Liberty, along with her sister, Alice Brown of Herscher, Illinois and many nieces and nephews, her 7 grandchildren, Justin (Christine) Farley of Reinbeck, Iowa, Misti (Scott) Shumaker of Winfield, Jason (Wendy) Johnston of Waterloo, Kayla Johnston of Mt. Pleasant, Adam Johnston of Mt. Pleasant, Tiffiny (Jake) Overath of Melbourne, Florida and Micah Johnston-Moriichi of North Liberty and her 9 great-grandchildren, Thomas and Easton Farley of Reinbeck, Iowa, Baylee (Tristan) Hart of Stockport, Callee (Kyle) Hill of Mt. Pleasant, Luke (fiancé Erica) Pfeiffer of Newton, Brynjar (Madison) Johnston of Chicago, Shyanne Johnston of Cedar Rapids, Christina (fiancé Alex Craff) Johnston of Mt. Pleasant and Aleah Johnston of Mt. Pleasant and her 5 great-great grandchildren, Colsen and Memphis Hart of Stockport, Blayne and Croix Hill of Mt. Pleasant, and Matthew Pfeiffer (and soon-to-be Maverick) of Newton.
Betsy was preceded in death by her husband, her parents and three sisters.
Memorial services will be held on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at 10 :30 a.m. at the Trenton United Methodist Church with Reverend Jeffrey McPheron officiating. A light lunch will follow the service. Friends may call after 2 p.m. on Friday at the Murphy Funeral Home in Mount Pleasant where the family will be present from 5 to 7 p.m., that evening. A memorial has been established in her memory to the T.T.T. Camping Program. According to her wishes cremation has been entrusted to the care of Murphy Funeral Home and burial will be held at a later time in Forest Home Cemetery.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.murphyfuneralandmonuments.com
The Murphy Funeral Home of Mount Pleasant is honored to serve the family with love, comfort and dignity as we celebrate the life of Betsy.