Beverly Ann Johnson, 74, of Waterloo, IA, died Saturday, July 4, 2009, of cancer. She was born December 22, 1934, in Des Moines, IA, daughter of Hawley Elon Collins and Mary Ann Tyrrell Collins. She married her high school sweetheart, Richard Wayne Johnson, on July 31, 1954, at Grandview Park Baptist Church in Des Moines.

She graduated from North High School in Des Moines, then attended Omaha Baptist Bible Institute, and graduated from Grand Rapids Baptist Bible Institute in 1958 with a Bible Certificate. Over the years, pastorates took the Johnsons to New Hartford, IA, Kasson, MN, Lincoln, NE, Waukon and Tipton, IA, and finally the chaplaincy at Friendship Village in Waterloo.

Beverly was a kind and loving daughter, wife, mom, grandma, great-grandma, partner in ministry, and friend who was always available to listen. She had a sweet spirit and a smile for everyone. Through the years, she taught Bible and missionary stories in children’s clubs and VBS, enjoyed puppet ministry, and sang in the choir. And although she was a pastor’s wife, she did NOT play the piano or drink coffee!

Beverly created a warm home for her family where she welcomed everyone, especially friends of her husband, daughters, and grandsons. She loved to entertain, and over the years, graciously hosted scores of speakers and missionaries for a bed, breakfast, and more. She gave her daughters room to experiment in the kitchen, have fun, explore their interests, and be themselves. Always supportive, she attended concerts, plays, art shows, and sporting events of her girls, and later her grandsons.

In addition to her love for her Lord and family, Beverly loved the hunt of a good auction or garage sale, antiquing, setting a pretty table, and collecting silverware, dishes, linens, churches, and teddy bears. She enjoyed creative projects of writing, calligraphy, and stamping. And she was always up for a good game of Rook, Skip-bo or Dutch Blitz.

She is survived by her husband Richard; daughter and son-in-law Mary Grace and Barry Mowry of Sherwood, MI; daughter and son-in-law Sara and Lonnie Ostransky of Perry, IA; five grandchildren: Rob Mowry, Scott Mowry, Drew (Darlene) Ostransky, Sam Ostransky, and Will Ostransky; great grandson Jasper Larsson; half-sisters: Norma Ziegler of Georgia and Beverly Ann Hamilton and Brenda Carrillo, both of New Mexico; and half-brother Joe Young of Arizona. Beverly is also preceded in death by her parents and half-brother Richard Young.