Myrna Joan Johnson

Myrna Joan Johnson, 80 of Evansdale, died Tuesday, November 24, 2020 at the MercyOne Mason City Hospital. She was born November 8, 1940 in LaPorte City, Iowa, daughter of Burt and Martha F. (Brooks) Smelser. Myrna graduated from LaPorte City High School. She married Gale Johnson – they later divorced. She worked as a homemaker for several years. Then she worked for Community Builders as a siding applicator and later for Quest Diagnostics, retiring in 2012.

Myrna is survived by her children, Janette (Jerry) Arnold, Clear Lake, Greg Johnson, (Special friend Brenda) Waterloo, Sandy (Tony) Holkan, Buckingham, Randy (Janet) Johnson, Waterloo, Debbie (Kevin) Eliason, Big Lake, MN; 8 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, 4 great-great grandchildren; 3 Brothers, Ralph (Linda) Smelser, Waverly, Gene (Sharon) Smelser, Rockford, Il, Mike (Jeannie) Lenihan, Chariton; many nieces and nephews; and second family, Doug Voelker and family.

She is preceded in death by her daughter, Laura Ward; grandson, Jerrad Ramon; granddaughter, Jessica Johnson; sister, Donna Smelser; 3 brothers, Glen Smelser, Michael Smelser, and Butch Gardner.

Joan loved many things. She loved to line dance. She had been doing this for 30 years. Her favorite dance was the sway with Greg. She looked forward to doing this every week on Thursday evenings. She loved family gatherings. She loved camping and fishing. She loved her house and yard. She loved to garden. With her plants and flowers. Joan was a great listener, great advice giver. The rock and lean on and always count on. She was always ready to help when she could. She was a handy man. She would read a book to learn how to fix it if she didn’t know. She was a very strong independent woman.