Wilma Watt Johnson Obituary April 23, 2016 - LeRette Funeral Chapel Inc

‹ ‹ Return to Current Obituaries

Share

IN LOVING MEMORY OF

Wilma Watt

Johnson

May 14, 1917 – April 23, 2016

Send a Card Send a Gift

Obituary

Birthplace: Rural Ames, Nebraska Resided In: Red Oak, Iowa On April 23, 2016 at Montgomery County Memorial Hospital in Red Oak, Iowa, Wilma Watt Johnson, left this world as she lived with quiet grace and dignity. Wilma was born May 14, 1917 on a farm north of Ames, NE, the daughter of Harry and Emma (Tank) Dickerson. She grew up an attended a one room school for 10 years in Ames, NE. She attended Fremont High School in her Junior year and North Bend High School in her Senior year. She graduated in 1935 and began her teaching career in a one room school west of Crawford, NE and one year near Snyder, NE. She married Lloyd Gilbert Watt on May 21, 1939, and together they managed a 200 acre farm northwest of Silver Creek, NE. Delwyn, their only son, was born there in 1942. Lloyd's early farming was done with horses. They moved to a 160 acre farm in 1945 east of Royal, NE, and Mary, their only daughter, was born there in 1945. A completely different method of farming was required due to the sandy soil. The family moved to Lamoni, IA in 1950 and farmed their 120 acre farm. Wilma attended Graceland College and received her AA degree in teaching. She taught in a one room school southwest of Lamoni, IA. Wilma applied and got a contract teaching at Dawson Consolidated School in Dawson, IA in 1955. She attended and received a Bachelor of Science degree from Drake University in 1959 and got a teaching contract with Marshalltown school system. She also received her Master's degree in Elementary Education with Endorsement 35 for teaching Special Education in 1969 from Drake University. Wilma's husband, Lloyd, was killed in a train-truck accident in 1969 leaving her a widow. She continued teaching in Marshalltown until retiring in 1981. On January 16, 1993, Wilma married Alfred Morris Johnson of Red Oak, Iowa where she lived until the time she passed away. Wilma was on the Council for Exceptional Children, the Association for Retired Teachers, the Special Education Division of ISEA, the Association of Childhood Educational International, and Marshalltown Education Association. Wilma was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma and has held various offices including President. She received the Iowa Homemaker of the Year from the Montgomery County Farm Bureau in Red Oak. Wilma served on the the Iowa District Optimist Club as Lieutenant Governor for several years. She was a member of WELCA and Altar Guild of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Retired School Personnel Association and Montgomery County Farm Bureau. Preceding her in death were her parents, two brothers, four sisters, husband Lloyd Watt, and husband Morris Johnson. Survivors include her children: Delwyn Watt and wife Shirley Rhudy of Sedona, AZ and Mary Watt and husband James Sage of Red Oak, IA; three grandchildren: Del Ann Watt of Ft. Collins, CO; James Watt and wife Emma of Aurora, CO; and Devon Watt and wife Rachel of Phoenix, AZ; four great grandchildren: Elizabeth Watt, Allyson Watt, Colton Watt and Audra Watt; stepchildren: Robert Johnson and wife Joan Smith of Red Oak, IA; Carolyn Gildseth and husband Wayne of Red Oak, IA; Linnea Davidson of Omaha, NE; Gary Johnson and wife Beverly of Emerson, IA; and Greg Johnson and wife Teresa of Sidney, IA; 14 step-grandchildren; 20 step-great grandchildren; and many other relatives and friends. Funeral services will be held 10:30 AM Saturday, April 30, 2016 at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 1101 E. Summit Street, Red Oak, IA with Rev. Earl Watt officiating. There will be open visitation on Thursday and Friday. Graveside services will also take place on Saturday, April 30, 2016 at the Rose Hill Memorial Gardens in Marshalltown, IA at 4 PM. Memorials are suggested to the Bethlehem Lutheran Service. Nelson-Boylan-LeRette Funeral Chapel, Red Oak, IA is in charge of arrangements.

No Visitation Information Available
Service:
Date: 4/30/2016 Time: 10:30 AM Comments:	Bethlehem Lutheran Church 1101 Summit St. Red Oak, IA Get a Map Driving Directions
Burial:
Date: 4/30/2016 Time: 4 PM Comments:	Rose Hill Memorial Gardens Cemetery 602 Iowa Ave. E. Marshalltown, IA Get a Map Driving Directions

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Wilma Watt Johnson, please visit our flower store.

Share Wilma Watt Johnson's obituary with others.

Stay updated

Share this obituary with others

Print

Obituary

Wilma Watt Johnson's Guestbook