"I miss you so much Grandma, I am glad I spend the last few days with you before God took you to a better place where you will rest and watch over our family. U are truely missed I love you so much..."
In loving memory of
Eileen Johnson
December 18, 2008
Interment: St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery ~ Wesley, Iowa
Eileen Clara Johnson was born on May 19, 1926, in Wesley, Iowa on the family farm east of town. She was the tenth of eleven children born to Lawrence and Mary (Thissen) Wingert. Eileen was educated at St. Joseph's Catholic Grade School in Wesley and St. Cecelia's High School in Algona, Iowa. She then received Normal Training to earn her Teaching Certificate.
For a short period of time she taught in a country school in the area. Eileen was married to Edward Johnson of Wesley on June 3, 1950, at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Together they had three children, Gerald, Timothy and Jenifer. She was a homemaker until the seventies, when she worked part time for the Millers at their hardware store in Wesley. She continued to work as a sales clerk and bookkeeper for Wesley True Value Hardware (Bob Becker Construction Co.). Upon her retirement, she worked part time for the Town Mart Convenience Store in Wesley.
In 2006, Eileen moved to North Sioux City, South Dakota, next to her daughter, Jenifer and husband, Kevin.
She died at home, peacefully shortly after midnight on December 18th.
Eileen is survived by her sons, Gerald Johnson of Waterloo, Iowa, Father Tim Johnson, Carroll, Iowa and her daughter, Jenifer (Kevin) Hensley, North Sioux City, South Dakota and her two granddaughters, Melanie and Sierra. Also surviving are two sisters, Rita Shepard, Palo Alto, California, Sister Catherine Wingert, Markham, Illinois and one brother, Father Gerald Wingert, Algona, Iowa. She was preceded in death by her mother and father, Lawrence and Mary (Thissen) Wingert, her husband, Edward and siblings, Thomas, Clare, Louis, Lawrence, Michael, Jean Marie and Darleen.
Tributes
"To Gerald (Jerry) Johnson, Father Tim Johnson and Jenifer (Johnson) Hensley: Just wanted to take this additional opportunity to extend my sympathy and to let you know, that for as long as I can remember, I've felt great respect for, and a high admiration of, your mother. Sister Mary Catherine has retold the story several times over the years, as to how your Mother and Sister Catherine (when they were teen-agers) helped "baby-sit" my brother (Don) and me, in the early 1940's before, during and after the time that Dad & Mom (Louis & Helen) made their move from a Wesley farm to their Buffalo Center Farm. I do not have any specific memories of those days (the early 40's); but, do have a few old photos and Sister Catherine's reminders of those days. Your Mother was a "Saint", in my book. You can be proud of her life. Marilyn and I will remember your Mother, and all of you, in our prayers. We wish you a Blessed Christmas. Charles D. (Chuck) Wingert "
"Fr.Tim and family, my deepest sympathy to you and your family. I know how hard it is to lose your mom. Fr. Tim, you were will us through so many good days and a lot of bad days when we lost mom and dad. Know you are all in my prayers and thoughts. Know she is in heaven with the saints and what a beautiful place heaven is at Christmas.Now the two mom's can really watch over yoy."
"Jenifer,Fr. Tim,Jerry, & the Wingert family, I was so saddened to her the news. I have such countless memories of her & your whole family. I know you will take comfort in knowing that she now joins her savior. She and your Dad will have a lot of catching up to do, as well as all her other family & friends. Please accept my deepest sympathy, I really wish I could make it to the services. I'm sure it will be a difficult Christmas for all of you, but we wouldn't want her to suffer. I know you all have lots of happy memories & a strong faith to help you through this. I will be keeping you in my prayers & thoughts. I would also love to get in contact with any of you (especially you Jenifer). My e-mail is mheinze@southslope.net. Love, Shelly,Mike, & family"
"Fr. Tim & family, We were sorry to learn of the death of your Mother. Know there will be a great void in your lives but may you have many fond memories. Had thought Rollie & I, Shirley Lackman and LaVonne McCarty would attend the funeral but decided when they said no travel recommended maybe we should not come. Our thoughts and prayers are certainly with you. Our Deepest Sympathy, Mary Lou & Rollie"
"Jenifer,Tim,Gerald and family. We send our deepest sympathy to you all. What a wonderful lady your mom and grandmother was. She was always cheerful and ready to do anything we asked of her. Your mom and dad both made our time in Wesley a truely great experience and of course you Jenifer just made it even better. Hopefullly the Holiday Season will be great in the memoriers you have of your parents. Thou its hard at this time just remember all the wonderful time you spent during this time and all years. God Bless you all Duane and Bev Malek and Family."
"Fr.Tim,and the Johnson Family & Fr.Gerald and the Wingert Family: Our deepest sympathy to both families and friends of Eileen. She was a very close cousin to me as we grew up together. Our prayer are with all of the families. Fabian & Beverly Wingert"
"Fr.Tim,and the Johnson Family & Fr.Gerald and the Wingert Family: Our deepest sympathy to both families and friends of Eileen. She was a very close cousin to me as we grew up together. Our prayer are with all of the families. Fabian & Beverly Wingert"
"Fr. Tim & Family: Our deepest sympthathy goes out to you and your family on the loss of your Mother. We knew your Mom through the lumberyard and she was a very kind and always pleasant lady. I'm sure you have many wonderful memories of her! Our thoughts and prayers go out to you. We lost Pat's Mother right after Christmas, and know how hard it is, during this time of the year. "
"Dad, Jen and the entire Johnson Family- We send our deepest sympathy at this time of sadness. Eileen was truly a very neat lady. We enjoyed her every chance we got to be around her. Please let us know anything that we can do for you, as you have always been there for us. We love you guys and you will continue to be in our prayers. God Bless!!! Love Will-Meredith & Mitchell Stevens"