Mary Lou (Harris) Johnson, daughter of Paul Adelbert and Launah Annette (Branstetter) Harris, was born on April 9, 1931, in rural Rudd, Iowa. She entered into eternal rest on Saturday, June 21, 2025, at Accura HealthCare of Shenandoah surrounded by her family at the age of 94 years, 2 months, 12 days.
Her early life was spent growing up in south central Missouri near the town of Mansfield in a three-room log home built by her grandfather. Mary Lou received her early education in a one-room country school. When World War II began the family moved to Kansas City, Missouri, as many job opportunities were created to help with the war efforts. As the war wound down, they would make one more move, to southwest Iowa, settling near Coin to be able to farm. Mary Lou graduated from Coin High School with the Class of 1948.
Upon graduating from high school, Mary Lou moved to Shenandoah, where she obtained a job with Mount Arbor Nurseries and later in the Brown’s Shoe Fit office. She rented a room on Church Street and walked, in high heels, to her job on the north edge of town.
In 1949, her life changed when she met a handsome young man by the name of Lynn Johnson at Porter’s Lake Skating Rink. They were united in marriage on January 14, 1951, at the Coin Methodist Church and made their home in rural Essex. In 1952, a son, Randy, was born and in 1954, they welcomed a daughter, Rhonda. They had a period of sadness, when they had a stillborn son, John Michael, in 1955 and then in 1956, Randy unexpectedly passed away at the age of four. In 1959, they celebrated the arrival of Howard Paul. Mary Lou was a homemaker and constant source of support for her family.
From early on in her life Mary Lou was sustained with a strong source of faith in God. She was a member of the Essex Presbyterian Church for over 70 years and served as an ordained Elder as well as a Sunday School teacher. She was also a Charter member of Essex Study and Service Club, the Chapter Iowa P.E.O, Essex Community Club, and Meals on Wheels. Mary Lou enjoyed being a part of the Elks Bridge group and her Tuesday morning library coffee group.
She loved to travel and managed to enjoy visiting nine countries and most of the states in the United States. Mary Lou and Lynn had a winter home in Mesa, Arizona, and for over 45 years were happy to be away from the Iowa cold. She loved and appreciated the beauty of mother nature and often called her grandchildren to make sure they didn’t miss a beautiful sunset or rainbow.
Preceding Mary Lou in death were her parents; husband, Lynn; son, Randal Lynn; son, John Michael; grandson, Jim Royer; grandson-in-law, Chase Heinold; and brother, Charles Blankenship. Left to cherish her memory are her daughter, Rhonda (Jay) Royer of Blue Eye, MO; son, Howard (Christy) Johnson, of Essex, IA; grandchildren, Edi (Jesse) Bond, Tyler (Taylor) Johnson, Whitney Heinold, Kendria Johnson, and Jennalynn Johnson; five great grandchildren, Brock and Lennox Johnson, Gwen, Blair and Bodhi Heinold; sister, Bonnie Lantz; brothers, Garry (Vickie) Harris, and Phillip (Cathy) Harris; her very special friends, Les and Carla Kirchert; along with a host of extended family and friends.
Funeral services for Mary Lou will be held on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, at 11:00 am at Nishna Valley Funeral Home in Shenandoah with Pastor Noel Gandy officiating. The family will greet relatives and friends with visitation and viewing one hour prior to the service from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at the funeral home Tuesday morning. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Mary Lou's name are being directed to the Essex Library Foundation. Private family interment services will be held at the Essex Cemetery.
