Jeanette Johnson

Jeanette Johnson, 88, formerly of Meriden, Iowa, passed away on August 31, 2025, at Edencrest Memory Care in Ankeny, Iowa, after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s disease. Honoring her wishes, Jeanette will be cremated. A public visitation and Celebration of Life will take place on Saturday, September 13, 2025, from 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM at Oakdale Evangelical Free Church, 1207 450th Street, Meriden, Iowa 51037. A private burial will follow.

Alice “Jeanette” was born to Gustaf “Elmer” and Mabel (Anderson) Wester on the family farm on December 5, 1936. As the youngest of eight children, she was affectionately known as the "caboose." After graduating from Washington High School in Cherokee, Iowa, she married Larry Dean Johnson, the love of her life and best friend, on August 7, 1956. She continued her education, obtaining a teacher’s certificate from Morningside College and a bachelor’s degree from Northeast Missouri State Teachers College. Following graduation from college, Jeanette and Larry returned to the Cherokee area, where they moved to a farm north of Meriden, Iowa, in August 1966. They farmed, and she worked as a teacher.

Jeanette and Larry raised four sons on their farm. Jeanette lived a life of faith and actively served for many years at Oakdale Evangelical Free Church. She loved living down the road from the church parsonage and was considered “Grandma” by many pastors’ children. She was an avid gardener and took special pride in her flower gardens and front rock garden. She had the best raspberry patch and vegetable garden. She would share her bounty with family and friends. She baked the most delicious treats, and her raspberry pie was a favorite. After their retirement, Jeanette and Larry traveled to visit family in Florida, attended their grandchildren's events in the Des Moines area, and took annual trips to Branson. Jeanette and Larry moved to The Gardens Assisted Living, Cherokee, Iowa, in September 2019. They moved to Edencrest at Sienna Hills Memory Care, Ankeny, Iowa, in August 2022.

Jeanette will be deeply missed by her family; her sons and daughters-in-law: Kendall (Melody) Johnson of Grimes, Iowa; Kevin (Joy) Johnson of Ankeny, Iowa; Kerwin (Kelly) Johnson of Bonifay, Florida, and Kenric (Brenda) Johnson of Alta, Iowa. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Sisters: Lorraine Mortenson and Evelyn Kludas; sister-in-law: Eleda Wester, and many nephews and nieces.

Jeanette is preceded in death by her husband of 68 years, Larry; her parents: Mable and Gustaf “Elmer” Wester; parents-in-law: Elmer (Rebecca “Pearl”) Johnson; siblings and siblings-in-law: Burton (Eleanor) Lundell; Roy (Elsie) Wester; Vernon (Ruby) Wester; Dale (Patricia) Wester; Robert Mortenson; Merle Wester; Karl Kludas, nephews, a niece and a great-nephew.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Oakdale Evangelical Free Church

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