Johnston, Selma Marguerite

Selma Marguerite Johnston, 90, of Anamosa, Iowa, passed away at home on Sunday, Oct. 2, 2011, surrounded by family. A celebration of life along with a private internment will be held at a later date. Iowa Cremation is assisting the family.

She is survived by daughters, Virginia (Ronald) May and Jana (Ivan) Walker of Anamosa, and Margie (Dean) Husman of Scotch Grove; sons, Earl Johnston of Anamosa, and Gerald (Cathy) Johnston of Pasco, Wash.; a son-in-law, Glen Thomas of Martelle; brothers-in-law, Harlan Main of Anamosa; Jake Johnston of Pinallas Park, Fla.; sisters-in-law, Erna Klinefelter of Vinton; Betty Eden of North Liberty; Lucy Drake of Cedar Rapids; 17 grandchildren; 37 great grandchildren; 14 great-great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and her lifelong friend, Verna Gilmore.

She was preceded in death by her parents; stepfather, Charles Nall; daughters, Linda Thomas and Mary Schroader; sisters, Rachel Main and Addie Eilers; brother, Robert Klinefelter; and three grandsons.

Selma Marguerite Klinefelter, the daughter of Lowell Clifford and Susan Jones Klinefelter, was born on July 15, 1921, near Morley, Iowa. She attended Morley school. Selma and Howard Johnston were married in 1940, and later divorced.

Her life could not be summed up better than by the words of comfort given us by her best friend's daughter, Dixie Gilmore Whitman: “Your Mom was amazing. I don't know if any of you remember, but way back in the day, I had nominated her for Mother of the Year in Anamosa. I saw her as a second Mom and wanted to honor her for dealing with the hand she had been dealt with grace, dignity and compassion. Though she had what most people would imagine to be a very hard life, she lived her life with nothing but love and laughter. My mom was talking about what a difficult life Selma had had the other day and I told her that I thought your mother would disagree. She always saw the glass as totally full, not even half full. She was patient, loving, kind and devoted to her family. You were blessed with an angel on earth for 90 years. God doesn't make a better person than your Mom.”

She will be missed deeply by all who knew and loved her.

Online condolences may be left for the family at .

Published in The Gazette Oct. 5, 2011.