Johnston, Mary Jean

Mary Jean Johnston, 88, died suddenly at her home in North English on Wednesday, May 19, 2010. A funeral mass will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church in North English at 10:30 a.m.  Monday, May 24, with the Rev. Joseph Roost presiding. Visitation will be at Powell Funeral Home in North English from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday, with a prayer service at 7:30 p.m. Burial will be in North English Cemetery.

She is survived by daughters, Julie Thein of North Liberty and Mary Lu (Rick) Ayers of North English; sons, Gerald (TokSun) Johnston of Buford, Ga., and Michael (Honore) Johnston of Davenport; 12 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; a brother, Alfred Van Dee of North English; and sisters, Nellie (Milo) Cobb of Vinton and Reta Albert of Corpus Christi, Texas.

Mary Jean Johnston was born Jan. 26, 1922, near North English, Iowa, the daughter of Lawrence Cyrus and Ida V. Neal Van Dee. She grew up in the North English community. Jean was united in marriage to Ward Allen Johnston on Sept. 23, 1942, in North English. They farmed near White Pigeon until moving into North English in 1965. Jean managed Carson's clothing store until it closed and then worked at Bob's U-Save. Jean worked at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics from 1975 until her retirement in 1987.

Jean and Ward spent many happy winters snowbirding in Rockport, Texas. Jean was a lifelong member of St. Joseph Catholic Church. She was a member of the Red Hat Society and the VFW Auxiliary. Jean enjoyed her family, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She also enjoyed reading, doing crossword puzzles, and her Monday night card playing at the community center. She enjoyed playing “hand and foot” with her two sisters and brothers-in-law.

Messages and tributes may be left at under obituaries.

A general memorial fund has been established.