Beverly Jean Johnson

Beverly Jean Johnson, 88, went to her heavenly home on February 4, 2026, at Atrium Gardens in Tampa, Florida where she had resided for two years and was under the care of Hospice, with her daughter Diane, by her side.

Bev was born in Fort Dodge, Iowa, to James Sr. and Bertha Merrill. She graduated from Fort Dodge Senior High in 1956. She and Donald Johnson were united in marriage by Rev. Squires at the Harcourt United Methodist Church on December 1, 1956. They made their home on a farm south of Otho. They were married 59 years when her beloved Donnie passed away suddenly on February 11, 2016. They raised three children together: Ron, Ken, and Diane.

During the harder farming years, Don told Bev, she would have to go to work. She told him if she had to work, she wanted to fulfill her dream of being a nurse. She graduated from Iowa Central Community College in 1981 as a Registered Nurse. She worked for 25 years at Trinity Regional Hospital. She was so proud of the team she worked with on 3North, eventually becoming the charge nurse. She later transferred to outpatient surgery and worked part-time at a surgeon’s office as well. This was her true calling and passion in life, and there was nothing more that she loved than being a nurse, often saying, “I am so glad I got to be a nurse.”

Don and Bev loved being “Grammy and Grampy” to their grandchildren, Matt and Zach (Ron and Laura), Mack, Stephanie and Tigh (Ken and Gina) and Maddy and Jake (Mike and Diane). Upon her passing, she had 7 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren Beverly said her greatest joy was time spent with her grandkids and watching them grow up.

Don and Bev were loyal members of the Harcourt United Methodist Church, always giving of their time, treasure, and talents. Bev was a Sunday school teacher for 12 years, a member of the Harcourt United Methodist Women, including being the President of UMW society, a leader of MYF, as well as serving where and when needed during her 65 years there. She was also a Den Mother in Boy Scouts and a leader in Camp Fire Girls.

Bev was a woman of many talents. Her cookies were treasured treats, especially at Christmas when she would bake and give away her famous whoppie pies, pecan tassies, and Swedish creams. She was also known for her amazing carrot cake and banana bread. She was an accomplished seamstress who could sew clothes and curtains without a pattern. She created many counted cross—stitch pictures as gifts. She was a generous soul who would do anything for anybody.

Bev was preceded in death by her parents, James Merrill, Sr., Bertha and Step-dad Buck Naeven, her siblings: Midge (Richard “Duke”) Sanden, Louella (Donald) Mortiz, James (Esther) Merrill, and Connie (Jack) Harris, her son, Ronald Johnson (Laura), her nephew mark Merrill, and many beloved in-laws: Daughter-in-law Gina Johnson, Phillip and Ellen Johnson, Dean Johnson, Richard and Lorraine Heggen, Don and Norma Kuhn, and Delores Anderson.

The family would like to thank the staff at Atrium Gardens and LifePath Hospice, who cared for her with great love and compassion.

The family is planning a celebration of life for Bev on June 20, 2026, at Dolliver State Park, at Center Lodge at 1:00 PM. She will be laid to rest with her beloved Donnie in a private family service.