"Julie, so sorry in the loss of your mother. You and your mom were so nice to my mom, Maxine, and I will always remember Beth and her sweet smile. I'm sure she was a wonderful nurse. God's blessings to you and your family. Cheryl Kalsem"
In loving memory of
Elizabeth Johnson
September 23, 1931 - March 12, 2016
Elizabeth Johnson, 84, of Marshalltown, IA, passed away Saturday, March 12, 2016 at the Iowa River Hospice House in Marshalltown. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, March 16, 2016 at Anderson Funeral Home, 405 W. Main St., Marshalltown. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, March 15, 2016 also at Anderson Funeral Home, 405 W. Main St., Marshalltown. Interment will take place in the Rose Hill Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Marshalltown. Memorials may be directed to the Iowa River Hospice House in Marshalltown. Online condolences may be sent to www.andersonfhs.com
Beth was born on September 23, 1931, in Fairfield, Iowa, the daughter of Homer and Florence Glattfelder, and the youngest of three children.
Beth attended Fairfield High School where she enjoyed singing in the choir, playing the piano, and participating in the state spelling bee. After graduating, Beth studied at the Mercedian School of Nursing at St. Thomas Mercy Hospital in Marshalltown, Iowa, where she met the love of her life, Gerald J.J. Johnson, on a blind date. Three months later, on July 26, 1952, they were married. Beth and J.J. began their family shortly thereafter and had six children together.
After earning her nursing degree, Beth began her career at St. Thomas Mercy Hospital, and later worked alongside Dr. Edison Knight for 20 years. In retirement, Beth carried on her kind, gentle bedside manner as a childcare provider with Bessies Daycare, which she operated with her husband J.J. out of their home in Marshalltown.
Throughout her honest, hard-working, and beautiful life, Beth found joy in attending church with her family, singing in the choir, baking (especially peanut butter cookies, bread, and rhubarb pie with rhubarb from J.J.s garden), making beef and noodles (with her famous homemade pasta), going to garage sales, and watching The Sound of Music and The Andy Williams Show. Always a lady, Beth loved wearing her pink lipstick, painting her nails, and smelling of Chantilly perfume. Also quite the grammarian, her family affectionately dubbed her the Scrabble Queen.
Even up into Beths final years, months, and days of her life, she will be remembered by all for her unwavering optimism, her authentic interest in and ability to listen to others, for her love of children, her soft-spoken nature, and her warm, genuine heart of gold. Beths family would like to ask that, in her honor, you show someone an act of kindness today.
Left to cherish her memory are her husband of 64 years, Gerald J.J. Johnson of Marshalltown, IA; five of her six children, Jill (Craig) Brewer of Hudson Falls, NY, Julie (Ken) Harvey of Marshalltown, IA, Jeff (Linda) Johnson of Riverside, IA, Janet Johnson of Marshalltown, IA, Jenny (Andy) Bledsoe of Gladbrook, IA; 12 grandchildren, Christina (Adam) Kruzich of Mediapolis, IA, Natalie (Drew) Purcell of Indianola, IA, Nate (Stephanie) Miltenberger of Des Moines, IA, Eric (Kristin) Brewer of Waterbury Center, VT, Brent (Jodi) Brewer of Hudson Falls, NY, Levi (Hillary) Brewer of Hudson Falls, NY, Ben (Darci) Brewer of Hudson Falls, NY, Mary (Corey) Miller of Cedar Rapids, IA, Katie (Martin) Robillard of North Liberty, IA, Abby (Andy) Wilson of Denver, CO, Josey (Nick) Vasquez of Newton, IA, Jordan Bledsoe of Cedar Falls, IA; and 17 great-grandchildren. Beth now joins her daughter, Jeri Ann Miltenberger; brothers, Calvin and William (Bill) Glattfelder; and her parents, as one of Gods angels in heaven.
Tributes
"To the family of the beautiful Beth Johnson: I know you must be filled with heartache, especially JJ. She was such a light in this world, and her love for her family was always so evident. I so loved every moment I spent with her - her smile, gentleness, and laughter made it so easy to be around her. While it will not be easy, I do hope you are able to find solace in the coming days. I know heaven has welcomed her with open arms and is glad to have their special angel with them. Thinking of you and praying for you. "
"We are so very sorry for the loss of someone so dear to all of your family. May God give you peace during this difficult time of your life. God bless you all."
"To Beth's family my sympathy. I met her years ago when I moved to Marshalltown. I needed a doctor and was referred to Dr Knight and met her as the person who not only greeted me but was his nurse. She was always so soft spoken, sweet and compassionate treating everyone as if they were the most important person on earth. Our paths crossed later in life through my friendship with 2 of her children, Jeff and Julie. I know she will be deeply missed but hold on to passion she shared toward others. She was a very special person. "
"My sincere sympathy to the family and friends of Elizabeth. The loss of our dear loved ones can be very difficult and distressing to cope with. It has helped myself and others when we remember that they now safely rest in the loving memory of our Grand Creator, waiting for the fulfillment of His promised purpose. Also, may your own good and loving memories of Elizabeth help to soothe your hearts. Sincerely ( Revelation 21 : 3-5; Acts 24 : 15; Psalms 37 : 11, 34 ) "