Olive Irene Johnson age 85 of Maxwell, passed away on November 28, 2016 at Great Plains hospital in North Platte Nebraska. Irene was born July 15, 1931 in Admire, Kansas to Oliver and Grace Burks.
Irene attended Miltonville Weslyan College and studied education. It was here where she was introduced to and fell in love with Melvin K. Johnson, the love of her life. They were united in marriage on October 29, 1950, at Mankato Kansas Weslyan Church. To this union were born four children, Mike, Cheryl, Alice, and Tim.
Irene owned and operated her own daycare and assisted Melvin in pastoring many Nazarene churches throughout the Midwest. They loved and cherished their congregations and eventually retired in Maxwell, Nebraska to be near their children. While living here, Irene enjoyed being a member and worshipping at Parkview Nazarene church.
She loved spending time with her four children, eleven grandchildren and twenty three great grandchildren. Irene was always looking forward to seeing them and spent many hours in prayer for each one of them. She was a true prayer warrior and displayed a true testament to her strength as she succeeded in fulfilling one of her last wishes, to meet and hold her 23rd great grandchild just four days before going home to meet the Lord.
Irene was preceded in death by her parents, Oliver and Grace Burks; her son Kenneth Michael Johnson: husband Melvin Kenneth Johnson; and two brothers Bob and Max.
She was survived by children, Cheryl Millen and husband Rick of Maxwell, Alice Yost and husband Roger of Maxwell, Timothy Johnson and wife Darla of Council Bluffs Iowa; sister Ruth Macy of Minneapolis Kansas; sister in law Betty Bowler of St. Joseph Missouri; 11 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; as well as a host of dear friends.
Irene was a wonderful example of what it means to live life loving the Lord; she was the matriarch of this family and will be greatly missed by all.
Memorials will be directed by her family. Online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.
Services will be 11:00 A.M. Friday, December 2, 2016 at the Parkview Community Nazarene Church with the Reverends Jack Atteberry, Roger Yost, and Trent Johnson officiating. Burial will follow at Fort McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell. Visitation will be noon – 9:00 p.m. Thursday, December 1, 2016 at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.