Date of Birth
Dec 11,1924
Date of Death
Mar 11,2008
Iris R. JohnsonAge 83 of St. Charles, IL, passed away peacefully at the Pine View Care Center, St. Charles, after several months of declining health. BORN / EARLY YEARSShe was born December 11, 1924 in Pulaski, IL, the daughter of Alfred John and Flora E. (Bowles) Ing. She grew up in Southern Illinois and in the early forties, when she and her family moved to St. Charles, IL following her mother’s death. She began working for St. Charles Kitchens where she met her husband, Gustave Verner Johnson. Vivacious and athletic, Iris played organized softball when she was young and was first runner-up in a St. Charles beauty pageant. No doubt, she broke a few hearts when Gus captured hers and they were wed on November 27, 1946. They settled in St. Charles where their daughter, Cheryl, was born and moved to Elburn, shortly after their son, Jeff was born. They made their home there until 1958 when they returned to St. Charles. Through the years, Iris worked at several Fox Valley companies, including Boynton Plastics from which she retired in 1983. Throughout her life, she continued to be active; especially enjoying bowling and golfing and pitched horseshoes. She also enjoyed many friends through the Quivera Club in Elburn. A devoted wife and mother, Iris was also a meticulous housekeeper, religiously scrubbing every inch of her home twice a year, Spring and Fall. Retiring in later years to Horsehoe Bend, Arkansas, they made many friends among others who retired there as they did. Following, Gus’ death, Iris continued to live in Arkansas until moving back to St. Charles in 2006. As always, Iris remained active and independent to her last days, never taking "no" for an answer from life. When at last, Heaven called her home Tuesday evening, March 11, 2008, she left the winter snows behind and began , no doubt, Spring Cleaning her heavenly home! FAMILY MEMBERSShe is survived by one son, Jeff Johnson of Sandwich, ILAnd one daughter, Cheryl O. (Michael) Hansen of St. Charles, IL;One granddaughter, Cassie (Josh) Ryder;And several nieces and nephews. Two sister-in-laws:Sue Ing GriffinElsa Cole and One brother-in-lawArt (Rose) JohnsonPRECEDED She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Gustave, two brothers:Wilbur Ing and Dempsey Ing, As well as one infant sister, Alfreda Ing.MEMORIAL A memorial will be established in Iris’ name to benefit her favorite charities. Memorials checks may be made to the Iris Johnson Memorial and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, IL 60119. Tributes and memories may also be forwarded to the family at the same address or through her obituary at www.conleycare.com. For information call 630-365-6414 or 1-800-8-CONLEY.
A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held Wednesday, March 19, 2008 at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce Street, Elburn. Friends may gather for a brief visitation preceding the service from 6-7pm, services will begin at 7:15pm with the Rev. Richard Watts officiating.
Iris’ cremated remains will later be laid to rest at Blackberry Cemetery with her husband, Gustave.