Maxine Rose "Lee" Johnson

Maxine Rose Johnson, 98, of Manchester, Iowa, was born October 15, 1927, to George and Anna (Goslar) Lee on a farm near Ute, Iowa, with no running water or electricity. She died peacefully on February 17, 2026, in Meth-Wick Community in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

In 1945, Maxine graduated from Mapleton (Iowa) High School and continued her education at National Business Training School in Sioux City, Iowa, and Self Development and Fashion Modeling at Carroll Studios, also in Sioux City. She went on to work at New York Life Insurance company in Sioux City and modeling at local benefit events.

On August 20, 1950, Maxine was united in marriage to Dean William "Bill" Johnson, the love of her life, at St Paul Lutheran Church in Sioux City. Four children were blessed to this union. Together they moved to Manchester in 1955, where they raised their family and retired.

Maxine was a longtime member at First Lutheran Church, where the congregation remained part of her family throughout her life. She was active in Circles and volunteered there for the years she resided in Manchester. She was an accomplished cook, member of TTT and Red Hats group, Cub Scout Den Mother, and enjoyed crafting, card club, Iowa Hawkeye events, dancing with her husband, and traveling the country and the world with Bill. During their early retirement years, Maxine and Bill enjoyed spending their winters in Fort Myers Beach. Above all, Maxine loved her family and every moment she could be with them.

Survivors left to cherish her memory include her four children, David (Julie) Johnson of Cedar Rapids, Jana (Russ) Burg of La Valle, Wisconsin, Scott (Anne) Johnson of Cedar Rapids, and Kurt Johnson of Manchester; 11 grandchildren, Zachary (Kimala) Johnson, Gabriel (Stacey) Johnson, Maria (Doug) Drees, Aaron (Megan) Burg, Rachel Burg (John Greenberg), Elizabeth (Sanjay) Aggarwal, Emily (Matthew) Wilkinson, Kathryn (Christopher) Jensen, Alexander (Damilola) Johnson, Sierra (Dan) Grimshaw, and Aja Johnson (Chris Gort); 21 great-grandchildren Will, Wyatt, and Abby Jane Johnson, Clara and Ella Johnson, Julia and Declan Drees, Kennley and Everly Burg, Myra Greenburg, Olivia and Maya Aggarwal, Jude, Fiona and Maisy Wilkinson, Kylie, Ryker and Tenley Jensen, Otis and Ada Johnson, and Kiah Gort; and many nephews and nieces.

Maxine was preceded in death by her husband, Bill; her parents; two sisters, Wilma (William) Heinse and Shirley (Willard) Lee; infant brother; brothers-in-law, Frank (Inez) Johnson and Robert (Ann) Johnson; sister-in-law, Florence (Fred) Montrose; and mother- and father-in-law.

The family would like to thank the staff at The Keystones of Cedar Rapids for the wonderful care provided over the past seven years and the staff at Meth-Wick Community and Essence of Life Hospice for their service in her final days.

Memorials may be directed to First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Manchester, or The Good Neighbor Home in Manchester.