Lila Johnston died January 20, 2009 at Ames, Iowa at the age of 83 years.
Services were held at the Rippey United Methodist Church in Rippey at 11:00 a.m. on Friday January 23, 2009. Words of comfort were given by Pastor Deb Parkinson. Music was provided by the Rippey Church Choir and accompanied by Marjorie Vannatta. The hymns sung were “Cherish the Cross” and “In the Garden”. Honorary Bearers were: Ellen Johnston, Warren Knight, Dale Morse, Natalie Johnston, Marvin Terrill, Don Coon, “All of her Past and Current Friends”, Rippey UMC Ladies Aid, Pleasant Hill WSCS, Eastern Star, Alice Blue Rebekah Lodge, KNYB. Casket Bearers were: Neil Johnson, Harrison Johnston, Sam Babb, Jacob Johnston, Marty Terrill, and Kevin Fouch.
Lila Genevieve Johnston, daughter of Ray Temple and Helen Hobbs Temple was born January 31, 1926 in Lehigh, Iowa and died January 20, 2009 at Mary Greeley Medical Center in Ames, Iowa at the age of 83 years, 11 months, and 19 days. Lila started school in Lehigh and in 1933 her family moved to Rippey. She graduated from Rippey High School in 1942. Lila worked at various jobs, and during the war worked at the Ordnance Plant in Ankeny. Lila married Darwin Jay Johnston on July 4, 1948 in Woodward, Iowa. They were the parents of two sons, Ned and Ted. They made their home in Rippey and for the last 39 years lived on their present farm north of Rippey. Lila was a very social person, faithful friend, and neighbor. She enjoyed corresponding with others and was noted for all of the many cards she sent. Lila was a wonderful cook. She was supportive through the years of her children and grandchildren. Lila helped on the farm in many ways, including preparing and serving the very best meals according to their farming help, washing eggs for Ned, walking beans with the kids, and being a great go-for to the men. Lila loved to travel and enjoyed going to Branson for 19 years. Picnics with “the gang” and taking pictures were very special to her. She enjoyed her church and the church Ladies Aid, and all the church associations, but she loved working in the church nursery over many years and enjoyed watching her nursery children grow in their lives and their faith. She also enjoyed the many other groups she belonged to including the Know Your Neighbor Better Club, Eastern Star, Pleasant Hill WSCS; and Alice Blue Rebekah Lodge. Lila was preceded in death by her parents and sister-in-law Caroleen Johnston Terrill. She is survived by her husband of over 60 years, Darwin; two sons Ned and his wife Janice of Rippey, Iowa; Ted and his wife Joan of Winterset, Iowa; her grandchildren; Neil of Rippey, Iowa; Ellen of Great Britain, Harrison of Rippey, Iowa; Jacob of Ankeny, Iowa and Natalie of Winterset, Iowa. She is also survived by her sister Lillian Knight and husband Warren of Carroll, Iowa, her aunt Lillian Leatherby of Guthrie Center, Iowa; brother-in-law Marvin Terrill of Brownsville, Texas; three nieces who were like daughters, Connie Fontanini of Carroll, Iowa; Debbie Hargens and husband Jerry of Glidden, Iowa; and Paula Knight of Carroll, Iowa; other relatives and many, many friends.
Interment was at the Rippey Cemetery in Rippey, Iowa
Hastings Funeral Home of Jefferson, Iowa was in charge of arrangements.