Jean Marie Johnson, 93, of Waukon, IA, went to her heavenly home on Tuesday, December 23, 2008. She was a resident of Good Samaritan Center in Waukon. Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 27th at 3:00 pm at Martin Funeral Home in Waukon, with Pastor Andy Doll officiating. Burial will be in Oakland Cemetery, Waukon. Friends may greet the family from 2:00 to 3:00 pm Saturday before the services at the funeral home.
Jean Marie Kruger Johnson was born on January 9, 1915 just northwest of the Glenwood area of rural Decorah, IA. She was the daughter of Benjamin and Vera O. (Waterman) Kruger. Jean spent some of her younger years in Ludlow Township before moving with her family to Waukon where she graduated from Waukon High School in 1932. On February 24, 1934 she married Harlan Jerome Johnson at the Presbyterian Parsonage in Waukon. Jean was an active woman and had a number of different jobs during her working career. She began as a clerk and bookkeeper at the local Gambles Store and later was a bookkeeper for Nels Quandahl Tax Service. Following that she worked for many years at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon as a switchboard operator and office manager. Along with her other jobs, Jean stayed busy as a sales representative for Sarah Coventry Jewelry and also made many different types of crafts which she sold at area shows.
Jean was a dedicated member of Bible Baptist Church in Prairie du Chien, WI, where she served the Lord as organist and pianist as well as helped plan the music for many years. She also gave piano and organ lessons to area kids. She did beautiful handiwork and crocheted many items, which she gave to her family and friends as gifts. In later years, she had become an avid reader.
Survivors include her son, Jim (Helen) Johnson of Waukon; 4 grandchildren, Sherrie (Gil) Hunstad and Heather (Cary) Hermanson, both of Waukon, Scott (Noreen) Johnson of New Holstein, WI and Chad (Cheryl) Johnson of Richfield, MN; 10 great-grandchildren; and 2 great-great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents; and a brother, Richard Kruger.
Casketbearers are Gil, Joshua and Caleb Hunstad, Scott and Chad Johnson, and Cary and Brett Hermanson.