Irma L. Johnson

Irma Ledta Johnson (nee Meyer), age 97, passed away on November 11, 2025, in Naples, FL, with family by her side. She was born January 31, 1928, in New Albany, IN to Henry Friedrich Meyer and Dorothy Koehler Meyer Poff. She grew up on the family farm, which instilled in her a strong work ethic and gave her lots of stories to share with others throughout her life.

She graduated from New Albany High School in 1945 and attended college at Indiana State University, where she obtained a degree in Home Economics and Business, graduating in three years. She began teaching at age 20 and was only 2 years older than some of her high school students.

While at ISU she met John W. Johnson, who was studying engineering at the nearby Rose Hulman College, on a blind date, and they married in 1949. They moved several times before settling in Fort Wayne, IN, in 1957, where John was a professor of engineering at Indiana-Purdue Fort Wayne. Their daughter, Rosalie, was born in 1953 and son, David, in 1955. Irma was a proud Charter member of Bethany United Methodist church. She received a master's degree from St. Francis College in 1970 and spent 21 years teaching business classes at North Side High School.

In 1984, her husband, John, died unexpectedly at age 60. Many friends supported her during this difficult transition, one of whom told her to never turn down an invitation - and she took that to heart.

She was delighted when her two grandsons, Andrew Johnson and Alex Fogg were born, and equally excited when she became a great-grandmother to Charlie and Annie Johnson.

In 2004, after 36 years at her home in Fort Wayne, she moved to Naples, FL to be near her daughter and family in Pelican Bay. She took to the community like a duck to water. She served on her Barrington Condo Board for 11 years, 2 years as its President. She attended Naples United Church of Christ, where her favorite seat was in the balcony, which she climbed up to until age 94. She was also an active member in the Naples Doll Club, opening each meeting with a beloved inspirational message.

She loved travelling and made sojourns to some adventurous places: Honduras and Guatemala (to visit an ISU roommate), the Eastern Soviet Bloc and Russia, and East and West Germany (to trace her roots).

Irma was a very warm and inquisitive person. She loved getting mail, and then e-mail, reading the paper, and talking on the phone - her curiosity and contact with others kept her mind sharp. She was an inspiration to all and was considered a “2nd mom or grandma” to many.

Surviving Irma are daughter Rosalie (Michael) Johnson-Fogg, of Naples, FL; son David (Betsy) Johnson of Bellaire, TX; grandsons, Andrew (Rachel) Johnson, of Houston, TX and Alex Fogg, of New York City; great-grandchildren Charlie and Annie Johnson; niece Betty Ann Reese; many beloved cousins; extended family and cherished friends.

Memorial Service will be conducted at Kraft Funeral Service, 2776 Charlestown Road, New Albany, Indiana on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at 11:30 am officiated by Rev. Dr. John Sterrett.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to the John W. and Irma L. Johnson Memorial Scholarship Fund for engineering students would be most appreciated. Donations can be sent c/o The Development Office, Purdue Fort Wayne, 2101 Coliseum Blvd., Fort Wayne, IN 46805.