Bonnie Johnson

Bonnie Jean Johnson, 91, was born on March 20, 19.3 to Ralph Leroy and Florence Marie (Arendt) Garton at the home farm near Webb in Buena Vista County in a snow storm where the doctor arrived just in time to deliver.

Bonnie was educated in Clay County attending Webb, Cornell and Gillett Grove schools. She graduated from Gillett Grove High School in 1951. Bonnie Attended Iowa State University for two years in the Home Economics program from 1951 to 1952. She went back to college at the age of 53 back to Iowa State University and graduating in the summer of 1987 with a BA in Liberal Studies.

After her first stint at Iowa State University, Bonnie married Floyd Eugene Johnson on April 5, 1953 and farmed east of Fostoria Iowa for 42 years until Floyd’s passing in 1995. Bonnie and Floyd adopted two sons, Douglas and Barry. She was a 4H member as a youth showing calves and entering home economics projects. As a young wife, she was a Meadow Busy Bees 4H leader for 9 years and after that assisted many 4Hers with their projects. Later she helped the Meadow Motivators with projects for several years. She received the 4H Alumni Award twice, the 4H Motivators Award and the Iowa 4H Hall of Fame Award. She also served on the Clay County Endowment Committee. Bonnie loved children and animals having had many pets. 

Bonnie was a Sunday School teacher for several years at the United Methodist Church in Terril and in Gillett Grove. She was currently a member of the Faith Pentecostal Church in Spencer where she sang in the choir and worship’s team. She taught Sunday School there for 3 years and served in several other capacities also.

She also belonged to the Clay County Citizens Awareness Council for the Prevention of Child Abuse. Bonnie was the vice president for 3 years and President for 7 years. 

Bonnie is preceded in death by her parents; her husband Floyd; her special Aunt Edith Arendt; Floyd’s parents Art and Nellie Johnson; brother-in-law Christy Johnson and Alta; sister-in-law Iola Hyde and Ray and several aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews.

Bonnie is survived by her sons Douglas Johnson, Barry (Janelle) Johnson and many other friends and relatives.  In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Faith Pentecostal Church in Spencer.