Donna M. Johnson

Donna M. Johnson, 84, passed away in the care of Grandview Heights on Friday, March 22, 2014, surrounded by her family. Funeral services will be held at the Fellowship Baptist Church in Marshalltown, Iowa at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, March 25, 2014. The family will greet friends from 9:30a.m. until 10:30 a.m. also at the church. For condolences, please visit: www.mitchellfh.com. Ph. 641-844-1234. Donna M. Johnson was the daughter of Glenn and Floy Dobson Thurston. She grew up on their farm in rural Garwin, Iowa. Donna attended the Country School and then attended Green Mountain High School. She enjoyed playing sports. Donna played softball with the Farm Service team and several other teams. Donna was an avid baseball fan and enjoyed cheering for the Chicago Cubs. Donna was united in marriage to Louis Johnson on February 7, 1948. They moved to their present address in June of 1953. Donna loved living on the farm and the farm work. She loved raising baby pigs, baby calves, and chickens. In 1991, Donna went to work at the Maid Rite in Toledo, Iowa. After fifteen years of working at the Maid Rite, Donna retired in 2006. Donna was a member of Fellowship Baptist Church in Marshalltown, Iowa. She worked in the 4-6 year old childrens Sunday school class since 1979. Donna also helped out with the mens prayer breakfast. Donna loved her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren with a passion. Surviving Donna is her husband of 66 years, Louis Johnson. Her children, Mary Ann Merrifield, Susan Ivens, and Joel (Shelle) Johnson, grandchildren, Patrick (Karen) Merrifield, Chris (Melissa) Merrifield, Renee (Andy) Simmons, Raelyn, Andrea and Erika Johnson, and 7 great grandchildren. Donna was preceded in death by her parents, three sisters; Deloris Thurston (Tuts), Marian Thurston sis, Margene Thurston Hineman, and two brothers, Robert (Bob) Thurston and Clair Thurston.