March 28, 2024

Willadene ‘Willie’ Johnson

Willadene “Willie” Johnson, the daughter of Lawrence Laurel and Mary (Scott) Lewis, was born Dec. 3, 1927, in Ottumwa, Iowa. She graduated from Burlington High School.

On June 20, 1947, Willie was united in marriage with James Joseph Eversman in Burlington, Iowa. Willie worked as a secretary for many years. She was a member of the First Christian Church in Newton and belonged to P.E.O.  James would precede Willie in death on March 13, 1982.

On July 28, 1984, Willie was united in marriage with Marvin L. Johnson in Newton, Iowa.

Willie died on Feb. 10, 2014, at her home in Newton. She was 86 years old. Willie was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, James; her second husband, Marvin, on Feb. 2, 1999; and two brothers, Wayne Lewis and Jack Lewis.

Those left to honor Willie’s memory include her son, Ronald J. Eversman of Newton; her daughter, Mary Margaret (Gary) Edwards of Rogers, Ariz.; her step sons, Jerry (Shirley) Johnson of Runnells, Iowa, and David (Lisa) Johnson of Elizabethtown, Ky.; her step daughters, Gloria J. (Carl) Van Zee of Colfax, Iowa, and Shirley L. ( Gordon) Verwers of Woodstock, Ga.; her granddaughters, Kathryn Ann (Justin) Moore and Elizabeth Jane (Steve) Powers; her great-grandchildren, Austen, Olivia, Cole, Garrett and Alexis; and many step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren; and her brother, Raymond (Wilma) Lewis of Havana, Ill.

A funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 13, 2014, at the First Christian Church in Newton. The family will greet friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Pence-Reese Funeral Home. Memorials may be designated to the First Christian Church or the Alzheimer’s Association.