Obituary of Cora Kathryn Johnson

C. Kathryn (Kay) Johnson Kay Johnson, formerly of Newton, passed from this life on Tuesday, April 19, 2016, at Deerfield Retirement Community in Urbandale, Iowa. Cora Kathryn (Sullivan) Johnson, 96, was born November 11, 1919, in rural Bloomfield, Iowa, the daughter of Johnny Orval and Metta Gladys (McEldowney) Sullivan. Upon graduation from high school, she attended the Ottumwa Beauty School. On June 8, 1940, Kay was united in marriage with Robert S. (Bob) Johnson in Hannibal, Missouri. To this union three daughters and two sons were born. Together, Bob and Kay owned the Johnson Funeral Homes in Newton and Kellogg, from 1947 until 1975. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and Grandma Great. In addition, she was a caring person to further extended family and many friends. She will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved her. She was a longtime member of the First Lutheran Church, and was formerly active in Soroptimist, Eastern Star, Kiwanis Queens and many church groups. Survivors include three daughters and sons-in-law: Marsha and Richard Scherubel of Chapel Hill, NC, Sue and Charles Mahan of Naples, FL, and Barb and Dennis Bewyer of West Des Moines; daughter-in-law Janet Johnson of West Des Moines; son Christopher (CJ) Johnson of Des Moines; her nine granddaughters, four grandsons, eight great-granddaughters and twelve great-grandsons; her two sisters; one brother; a sister-in-law; two brothers-in-law; many nieces and nephews; and a special family friend Linda McCullough. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Bob Johnson on January 14, 2002; a son R. Steven Johnson on February 18, 2009; six sisters; two brothers; two sisters-in-law and seven brothers-in-law. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Saturday, April 23, 2016 at the First Lutheran Church in Newton. Visitation will be at the church from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Friday, April 22. Pence – Reese Funeral Home in Newton has been entrusted with the arrangements. Burial will be in the Newton Union Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be left in Kay's name to: Newton First Lutheran Church, American Cancer Society or Unity Point Hospice @ 11333-Aurora Ave.; Urbandale, IA 50322.