Joan Johnson, 94 years, of Oakland, passed away Sunday, December 17, 2023 at her home in Oakland. Celebration of life will be held Friday, December 22, 2023, 10:30 am at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Oakland. Memorial Visitation will be Thursday, 6-8 pm at First Evangelical Lutheran Church. Burial at a later date. Memorials suggested to First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Oakland / Oakland Library.
Roberta Joan Stewart Johnson was born, the youngest of five children, to Roberta Paden Stewart and C.V. Stewart on July 3, 1929, in West Point, Nebraska. She passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by her adoring family, on Dec. 17, 2023.
As a young girl, she enjoyed roller skating, movies, reading and following around her ornery brother Robert. She loved school and was active in theater and music. She graduated from West Point High School in 1947.
Thanks to a Ouija board, she met the love of her life, Kent G. Johnson, at a sleigh-riding party when just 17. They wed on Dec. 3, 1948, and just celebrated 75 years of marriage. This union brought six children: Jacquelyn, Stewart, Jill, Rena, Ryan and Jodi.
She was a lifelong reader and a lover of clowns, cardinals, windmills and pigs. She proved to be an incredible cook, master bread maker, fun Girl Scout leader, devoted choir member, nimble square dancer, understated actress and begrudging taxi driver.
Her strong faith led her to serve as the secretary for First Evangelical Lutheran Church for more than 30 years. She taught her children about unconditional love, friendship, respect for others, kindness and the true meaning of family. She was a woman of her word.
She will be sorely missed by her beloved husband, six children and spouses, 13 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild, as well as by many adored nieces and nephews. Her immediate family includes the following: Jacquelyn (David) Friedrichsen and families; Stewart (Susi) Johnson and families; Jill (Reynold) Peterson and families; Rena (Todd) Worth and families; Ryan Johnson and Michelle Miklos; and Jodi (Matt) Palensky and family.