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Doris Pauline (Tappen) Johnson
Doris Pauline (Tappen) Johnson
Altoona
Doris Pauline (Tappen) Johnson, 97, of Altoona, IA, passed on to her next adventure on Tuesday, December 16, 2025. She was the heart of her “big beautiful crazy family”. She often told us, “Every day is a new adventure” and she faithfully lived this, finding friendship and fun wherever she went.
Doris was born on May 17, 1928, in Cedar Rapids, IA to Acile Emory and Lillian (Cunningham) Tappen. She was an alumna of Iowa State College, where she was a proud member of Kappa Delta Sorority. Doris worked for the Red Cross and then in the Northwestern Bell Telephone business office before beginning her much valued career as a wife, mother, grandmother, and eventually great-grandmother. On September 8, 1950, she married James Howard Johnson in Cedar Rapids, IA, at Central Park Presbyterian Church, where they remained lifetime members (now Echo Hill Presbyterian Church). Jim and Doris enjoyed many years together, raising their family, then traveling the world.
Those left to remember every beautiful moment with her are her children, Jerry (Jan) Johnson, TN, Sandy (Kris) Baumgart, IA, and Steve (Sharon) Johnson, CO; her grandchildren, Derek (Tara Biagi) Johnson, Erin (Tyler) Schildroth, Curt (Bianca) Baumgart, Arielle (Andrew) Pillow, David (Lindsay) Johnson, Laura (Michael) Gage, and Emma Johnson; and her great-grandchildren, Desmond, Toby, Eme, Logan, Ryker, Fiona, Daphne, Archie, Sammy, and Brooks.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Jim, of 65 years, her parents, and her brother, Gerald (Jerry) Tappen.
Doris left Iowa Methodist Medical Center, Des Moines, IA, from a room filled with the love and laughter of her cherished family. A Celebration of Life was held on December 20 at Prairie Vista Village, Altoona, with her family and the friends she shared so much laughter and fun times with. A family graveside service will be held in July at Cedar Memorial in Cedar Rapids, IA (www.cedarmemorial.com). Memorial contributions will be directed to the Prairie Vista Village activity fund, because wherever their bus was going, Doris was on board! Doris currently resides in heaven, most probably dancing on the tables with a myriad of angels. She will be greatly missed.
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