Jolena Schloer Johnson

Jolena was born to Joseph Schloer and Ruby Lena (Faulk) Schloer in Long View, Texas, and grew up in Odessa, Texas. She received her unique name as homage to her parents “Joe” and “Lena.”

From an early age Jolena studied violin, which led her to later serving as concert mistress of the orchestra at Permian High School and as a member of All State Orchestra. She was a member of the National Honor Society for High School Students, graduated from Permian in 1967, received a music scholarship for Texas Tech University, and graduated with her Bachelor of Music Education degree in 1971. While at Texas Tech, she also served as: concert mistress of the University orchestra, a member of the academic sorority Alpha Lambda Dela, a member and president of the Mu Phi Epsilon music sorority, and on the Dean’s List each semester.

While continuing to play violin in a community orchestra following college, Jolena joined the Texas Music Educators Association and began her lifelong career as a teacher. During her employment as a public school teacher in Midland, Texas she taught strings and general music until the fateful, blessed day in 1971 when she met her future husband, Michael John Johnson. Michael lived at the apartment complex where she moved into, and he sought out her assistance in learning how to play the piano. As Michael wrote in his poem about their courtship: “I met a young lady in Midland, Her heart was softer than most.” Although he was one of the few students in Jolena’s life that she was unable to successfully teach (he still cannot play), they hit it off and were married in spring of 1973.

Michael was employed in the oil industry as a geophysicist when they met, and over the following years, the couple had several changes of addresses as job changes transferred them to the San Francisco Bay area where they started a family. First came daughter Linda, followed by daughter Sandra, and, after a move to Sacramento, the youngest daughter Judy. When given the opportunity by Michael’s career at USGS to move the family to a less populated, slower paced location, the couple settled into their newly built home in Carson City, Nevada in 1986. It was inside this family home that Jolena’s daughters remember her best as a supportive foundation from which they were able to launch themselves towards their dreams and into adulthood. Jolena always felt her greatest accomplishment in life was in raising her children to be successful in their own lives - whichever path they chose to take.

In Nevada, Jolena spent a few years at home raising her girls before seeking employment as a teacher once more. She was able to successfully find a second home at St. Teresa’s School in Carson City. She was the 8th grade teacher of middle school math, religion, geography, and history for 21+ years until her retirement in 2010. She also handled school functions, graduations, and assisted in the principal’s absence. While teaching, she was a member of the National Geographic Teachers Association, National Council of Teachers of Math, and National Catholic Educational Association. During her years teaching, she inspired the hearts and minds of countless people in both her close-knit Catholic community and beyond, leaving an indelible mark on all of her students, many of whom remained in touch with her.

Jolena was a lifelong learner and avid reader, who also enjoyed family dinners, baking with her daughters and granddaughters, quilting, cross-stitch, and watching a sunset over the Sierra Nevada Mountains at Lake Tahoe. With her love of history and wonder of the world, Jolena was a perfect fit as a Teacher Chaperone with People to People, an organization that arranged stewarded trips for young people to experience the cultures and history of foreign countries. She was able to travel the globe while celebrating the shared humanity in all people and demonstrating to participants the importance of treating others with respect. She led junior high groups to Australia, New Zealand, England, Ireland, Wales, Italy, France, and Spain. Australia was her favorite country to visit because of the warmness of its people and the beauty of the Great Barrier Reef. Jolena brought back priceless insights about far away communities in a time before the modern internet, wisdom which she gladly shared with her students and loved ones.

In retirement, Jolena was always seeking to serve. She volunteered at Browsers Bookstore for the Carson City Public Library and was an active member of St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Community, including the Women’s Guild and Church Council. A devoted wife, she fully supported the Deaconship of her husband Michael during their later years. She met the various requirements, including catechism classes, to obtain the Master Catechist designation from the Diocese of Reno.

Jolena is survived by her husband of 53+ years, Michael Johnson, of Carson City, Nevada; daughters Linda (Ray) and step-grandson Christian of the Baltimore area, Maryland, Sandra (Matt) and granddaughters Valerie and Lexie of the Chicago area, Illinois, and Judy (Mario). She was predeceased by her parents Joe and Ruby Schloer, and her sister Anita “Joy” Keen.

A rosary will be held at St. Teresa of Avila’s Chapel in Carson City, Nevada on Wednesday, October 7, 2026 at 4pm. The funeral mass will be held at St. Teresa of Avila Church in Carson City, Nevada on Thursday, October 8, 2026 at 11am with interment immediately following at the St. Teresa Columbarium. A reception lunch to follow in Chartz Hall. Jolena requested that people wear purple or bright colors (if possible) to represent the happiness she was able to shine out as a light into this world.

Donations to St. Teresa of Avila School Building Fund (https://stts.org/District/Portal/39-Donations) or Carson City Animal Shelter (https://nevadahumanesociety.org/donate/) are encouraged in lieu of flowers.

“Who can find a woman of worth? Far beyond jewels is her value. Her husband trusts her judgement; he does not lack income…She watches over the affairs of her household…Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband, too, praises her: ‘Many are the women of proven worth, but you have excelled them all.’” - Proverbs 31

Jolena Johnson

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