Vera Johnston

Lake City – Vera Johnston, 99, died Sunday, April 11, 2010 at Shady Oaks Care Center in Lake City.  Funeral services were held Thursday, April 15 at the Lake City Union Church with Rev. Betty Weidert officiating and burial was in the Lanesboro Cemetery. 

   Vera May Johnston was born April 26, 1910 at Lanesboro, Iowa to Arthur and Irene (Frost) Toyne.  She graduated from Lanesboro High School in 1929 and from Iowa School of Business in Des Moines in 1930.  On April 3, 1933, she was united in marriage to Albert “Bud” Johnston at Rockwell City, Iowa. 

   She worked as a secretary for the Lake City School from 1944 to 1957 and for Iowa Public Service from 1957 until retiring in 1975. 

   After retirement, she enjoyed many types of handwork including knitting, crocheting, embroidery and quilting.  She shared much of her handwork with her family, and through the years donated a number of quilts to the Lake City Union Church Lord’s Acre Sale.  One Christmas she presented her family with twelve quilts, two of which were embroidered and quilted.

   Vera was a member of the Lake City Union Church where she served as Financial Secretary for 15 years; she was also a Church Elder, member of the Woman’s Circle, UCW, and Support Committee as well as a member of the Business Professional Women.

   Vera is survived by her sons, Wendal (Joleen) of Ames, and Beryle (Kathleen) of LaVista, NE; 8 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren; brothers, Merle (Eleanor) Toyne of Springfield, SD and Burton Toyne of Grand Junction; and sisters, Mavis Morriss (Frank) of New Hampton, and Aileen Gerdes of Glidden.  She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; son, Albert, Jr. who died at birth; and sisters, Mildred Henrichs, Irma Davenport and Patricia Henrichs.

   The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the wonderful workers at Shady Oaks Care Center who knew, cared for and remained friends to the end with Vera, and also Rev. Betty Weidert for her spiritual kindness and Hospice Care personnel and volunteers.

 

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