Iola Virginia Johnson

It is not what we give, but what we share that makes us great. Iola Johnson shared her heart and soul with all those around her. Whether enjoying God's bounty working in her yard, or spending her time helping friends and family, Iola brightened the way for all who knew her. The 1920's were a time of transition in our country. While many people were leaving their farms to find work in the cities, others stayed, working long hours for little monetary reward, but much personal reward. In 1925, Carl and Pearl (Dove) Jones were working their small family farm in Fremont, Michigan, raising two children, Ethel and Nila, and awaiting the birth of a third. Baby Iola was born on March 4, 1925, and over the next several years became big sister to Herb, Edith, Bob and Willis. On the farm, the family grew corn and other vegetables and raised a few cows. When Iola was just eight years old, her father died, and the three oldest girls - Ethel, Nila, and Iola - took on the responsibility of running the farm. A mighty task for an eight-year old. In spite of the time needed to run the farm, Iola was still able to attend school. Even though she wore overalls on the farm, her mother insisted she wear dresses to school, a story she would tell over and over to her own daughter, Cindy, when she wanted to wear jeans to school. And, like a lot of "growing up" stories of that time, Iola stated that she had to walk five miles to school - each way!! Iola learned how to balance farm work and schoolwork and went on to graduate in 1943 from Fremont High School, graduating fourth in her class. After graduation she began working for Tenney Realtors and also managed the Oz Movie Theater in Fremont. One day, she and her brother Herb were walking into town - only about a mile from home. Iola was on her way to choir practice at church and Herb was going to run the movie at the theater. A young man by the name of LeRoy Johnson was out "joyriding" through town and stopped to give Iola and Herb a ride. Herb was dropped off at the theater and after finding that there was no choir practice at church, Iola and LeRoy went on their first date - cruising Fremont. LeRoy was smitten right from the beginning, saying, "She was a pretty little girl and we got along so well, I told my friend I might as well marry her." He was true to his word, and on March 15, 1947, Iola and LeRoy were married and would share 60 years together. The newlyweds now needed a place to live. Brother Herb, working in North Muskegon, was driving home to Fremont one day on M-120 when he spotted a cute little house east of Twin Lake. He reported his find to Iola and LeRoy and they soon moved into their new home. Iola and LeRoy often worked different shifts, and would leave little notes of endearment to each other. LeRoy was hired by Consumers Power, working his way up to plant manager. He retired in 1985. Iola was now ready to take on a new job - that of mother. Having had difficulties conceiving, Iola and LeRoy decided to adopt a child through a Methodist agency in Grand Rapids. As sometimes happens, the day they were to sign the adoption papers, Iola found out she was pregnant. Their son Paul was born in the fall of 1954 and both parents were delighted. Their joy continued when Scott was born in 1956. Iola loved her boys with all her heart, but she truly wanted a daughter. Having been told they could no longer have children of their own, Iola and LeRoy adopted Cindy in 1963. All of Iola's dreams had come true. In 1957, Iola and family moved from their home by Crocker Lake to a home in the Reeths Puffer School District on Holton Road. This was perfect for Iola. With her boys in school, she became very involved in their activities. She was a den mother for Cub Scouts and served as vice-president of the PTA. Iola was also active in the Reeths Puffer Band Parents organization. Whenever her children needed her, she was there. Later, when the family moved to Grand Rapids, Iola had the honor of being sworn in as President of the PTA by Rosa Parks. With a growing family, Iola and LeRoy moved to Grand Rapids, buying a house in a brand new sub-division. Both loved working outside and landscaping their yard, so every time a basement was dug for a new home, Iola and LeRoy would go rock hunting for their yard, rolling their finds home in a wheelbarrow. Iola's favorite treasure was a "pudding stone" - a rock made of many small stones, seemingly cemented together by nature. Whenever the family moved, Iola made sure her rock went with them. When they moved to north Muskegon, Iola and LeRoy won a beautification award for their gorgeous landscaping. Iola shared her love for her yard with her children and soon son Scott had a job mowing lawns in the subdivision. One summer, he was so successful that Iola ended up mowing lawns with him. In fact, Iola often mowed her own lawn before their lawn care people came. She didn't want it to look messy when they came to mow. Summers were usually spent at a cottage they rented on Silver Lake. A favorite pastime was looking for fulgurites, sand that has been melted and fused by lightning striking the earth. They also spent many happy hours in their yellow and white boat, named "Lil Stinker". Iola and LeRoy had purchased the boat, complete with a big hole in the side. After lovingly repairing the boat, the family enjoyed it for many years after. With family grown, and LeRoy retired, Iola found the time to take some trips. She and LeRoy often traveled with Orchard View on bus trips from New England to Idaho. They loved traveling together. Iola also found time to be part of the Women's Bowling League at her church, where she was a faithful member of the Women's Guild and the Women's Circle. She even served as an election worker for Laketon Township. Finally, last summer, Iola shared a secret with her family, one she had not wanted to tell them. She was suffering from a serious liver disease, serious enough that she would have needed a transplant if she were younger. Osteoporosis was also taking its toll, but Iola never complained. Iola's laughter, her friendly smile and her love for her dear ones will continue to encourage them even as they mourn her passing. She leaves them with an example of generosity and joy that they in turn can share with others. Mrs. Iola Virginia (Jones) Johnson, age 82, died Sunday, March 11, 2007. Her family includes her husband, LeRoy Johnson, 2 sons, Paul LeRoy Johnson of Little Neck, NY and Scott (Andra) Johnson of Whitehall, MI; daughter Cindy L. (Anthony Nelms) Johnson of Muskegon; 4 grandchildren, Christopher Johnson of Whitehall, Kimberly (Joshua) Dekker of North Muskegon, Charles Bosch of Alamo, GA, Katie (Eric) Spiker of Virginia Beach, VA; 2 great-grandchildren, Sofia Dekker and Aiden Spiker; 3 sisters, Ethel Burd of Encina, CA, Nila (Howard) Noble of Muskegon, Edith Reinicke of Fremont; 2 brothers, Herbert (Carolyn) Jones of Montague and Robert (Evelyn) Jones of Fremont. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother Willis Jones. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, 2-4 and 6-8 PM at Clock Life Story Funeral Home - Muskegon, and Thursday 1 hour prior to the service at the church. Services will be held on Thursday, March 15, 2007 11 AM at Laketon Bethel Reformed Church with Dr, Sherwin Brantsen officiating. Interment will take place at Laketon Township Cemetery. Please visit Iola's personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a favorite memory or photo or sign the online guest book. Memorials may be made to the Laketon Bethel Reformed Church Building Fund.