Shirley J Johnson

Shirley grew up on a farm five miles northwest of Estherville in Emmett County, Iowa, where she spent her early years learning the value of hard work and family. Farm life was full and demanding—milking cows, raising chickens, and tending to endless chores. At one point, the family farm was home to more than 1,000 chickens. After the heartbreaking loss of her mother to a cerebral hemorrhage at the young age of 49, Shirley was only 11 years old when she stepped into a role far beyond her years. She helped care for her siblings, cooked meals, worked on the farm, fed the chickens, gathered eggs, and washing milk separator, which was her least favorite task. Though she had no experience cooking at first, Shirley learned quickly and carried that skill lovingly throughout her life.

Shirley fondly remembered her mother’s homemade bread and “dough boys,” fried bread rolled in sugar, a simple comforts that stayed with her always.

Her first six years of schooling were spent in a one-room schoolhouse without running water or indoor plumbing, relying instead on an outdoor outhouse. One teacher taught all grades, first through eighth. Shirley experienced both good and bad teachers there and often recalled being so frightened of her first-grade teacher that she was afraid to ask to use the bathroom. Despite this, she remembered the schoolhouse years with joy and laughter, especially the mischief of the boys, who were known for their pranks—locking the teacher out, placing a dead snake in the girls’ toilet, and even flipping the toilet over on Halloween.

As a young woman, Shirley moved to Sioux City, Iowa, to attend cosmetology school. On February 2, 1962, she married the love of her life, Ervin Johnson, in Graettinger, Iowa. They shared 41 years of marriage until Ervin’s passing and were blessed with three children. Their life together was rooted in faith, family, and friendship.

Shirley was a woman of strong faith. She belonged to the Christian Women’s Club in Ames and cherished her daily devotional time. She faithfully read Jesus Calling and Our Daily Bread, finding comfort in scripture, prayer, and reflection. Shirley and Ervin found their spiritual home through an event called Key 73, where they also formed many lifelong friendships.

An exceptional cook, Shirley was known for her comfort food and especially her beloved potato salad which she made without a recipe or measurements, but instead “measured with her heart.” She loved music, particularly country songs and old hymns, and enjoyed listening to Daniel O’Donnell. Even later in life, when a music therapist played hymns for her, Shirley would hum or sing along, her faith and joy shining through.

Above all else, Shirley was a caregiver. She devoted her life to caring for her family, offering love, steadiness, and selflessness in every season of her life. Her legacy lives on in the lives she nurtured, the faith she shared, and the quiet strength she carried every day.

Shirley Johnson will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.

She was preceded in death by her husband, of 41 years, Ervin Johnson; her parents, Gene and Helen Hudson; and her brothers, Stanley Hudson, Duane Huson, Don Hudson, and Ivan Hudson.

She will be missed by her sister, Maxine Nelson; her children, Julie Argetsinger, David Johnson, and Janet Barclay; her grandchildren, Tina Hobbs, Melissa Argetsinger, Andy Johnson, Erin Johnson, Chloe Barclay, Megan Johnson, and Mollie Faris; her great grandchildren, Anna Schuppe, Brodie Hobbs, Zoe Hobbs, Jocelyn Hobbs, Brittney Whitehead, Natalie Whitehead, Braydon Whitehead, Lily Whitehead, Gianna Johnson, Peter Johnson, and Joshua Johnson; and numerous nieces and nephews.