Nona Frances Johnson

Nona “Frances” Johnson, 92, passed away to be with her Lord on April 19, 2024. A visitation will be held on Saturday, May 4, at Ankeny Christian Church, (Ankeny, IA, Des Moines area) from 10 to 11 AM. A service will follow the visitation. Burial will take place at the Iowa Masonic Cemetery in Des Moines, IA. Lyngblomsten Care Center holds a quarterly memorial service for residents who have recently passed. Frances will be included in the service being held at their chapel at 1415 Almond Ave. St. Paul, MN on May 16 at 4 pm.

Frances was born to John McCollum and Ora (née Crews) McCollum on May 31, 1931, in Steele, MO. She attended Steele High School, where she graduated salutatorian in 1949. Frances also attended college classes in Columbus, GA. Frances was devoted to her husband, Sam, and her family. She stayed home to raise her three children until they reached school age. She then resumed her career as an office administrator/manager first at Graham Equipment and later at Commercial Printing in Des Moines, IA; she then worked at Oak Helm Partners Real Estate after she and Sam moved to Davenport, IA. Frances always said that there was never a day when she didn’t enjoy going to work.

Frances was a faithful member of Union Park United Methodist Church in Des Moines, Saint John's United Methodist Church in Davenport, and most recently Ankeny Christian Church. After moving to St. Paul, MN in 2022 she attended services at Lyngblomsten Care Center Chapel.

Frances’ personal interests included sharing experiences with her children and grandchildren, playing bridge with three bridge clubs, sewing, crossword puzzles, baking and gardening. She was a life-long avid reader. She loved to sing, particularly in her later years where she enjoyed many congregate musical opportunities. She was a devoted and loving wife, mother, and grandmother.

Frances is preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, Sam Edwin Johnson, her parents, John and Ora McCollum; and brothers, Marvin “Euell” McCollum, John McCollum, Howard “Bo” McCollum, Bill McCollum, and Robert McCollum.

Frances is survived by her children, Kathy Johnson, Teresa (Phillip) Yetter, and William "Craig" (Gail) Johnson; and grandchildren, Marissa (Tom Earnest) Yetter, Kevin Yetter, and Jordyne (Graham) Richartz.

The family would like to express their gratitude to the staff at Lyngblomsten Care Center, and to the caregivers from WesleyLife in Des Moines and Visiting Angels in St. Paul for their dedicated and loving service over the last two years.

In lieu of flowers, Frances' family suggests memorial contributions for the Ankeny Christian Church, (https://www.accdoc.org/) the Alzheimer's Association (https://act.alz.org/) or the Lyngblomsten Foundation (https://www.lyngblomsten.org/).