Irene Otten Johnson

February 11, 1923 — September 20, 2014

Irene Evelyn Otten Johnson, daughter of George and Stella Otten, was born February 11, 1923 in Minnesota. After the family moved to Iowa, she graduated from the Linn Grove School in 1941 and enlisted in the WAVES in February 1943. On October 6, 1945, she was united in marriage to Richlan (Buck) Johnson. They farmed in the Webb area until 1957 at which time they moved into Webb. Irene had a varied career after the move including working at the Webb School, Spencer Hospital and Aalf's Manufacturing. In 1965, they moved to Peterson. In 1970, Irene and Buck managed the Cross Roads Motel near Storm Lake. In 1973, they moved to Spencer where Irene worked at Eaton Corporation, retiring in 1986. She continued working for several years at the front desk of the Super 8, Plaza 1 and Budget Motels. Irene enjoyed cooking, baking, and making family meals for her extended family. She frequently had neighbors over to share the results of her efforts. She was an avid sports fan, especially the Iowa Hawkeyes, Chicago Bulls, and Green Bay Packers. She also enjoyed working with her flowers and reading. Irene passed away at the Spencer Hospital on September 20, 2014. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband (in 1992); Sisters: Bernice Hohbach and Marjorie Smith; and Brothers: Robert (in infancy), Lloyd, Harold, and Gary. She is survived by sons: Monte of Spencer and Mark (Kerry) of Winterset, and daughter Roxana (Richard) of Alexandria, VA; grandchildren: Alan (Josie) Johnson, Brenda (Christopher) Stewart, Erica Rozek, and Jessica Rozek; her sister, Jeanette (Carl) Miller of Calimesa, CA; brother-in-law, Robert Smith of Columbus, OH, sister-in-law, Carol Otten of Bloomer WI; brother-in-law, Jerry Hadley of Webster City; great grandchildren: Becky and Colby Johnson and Bodie and Boone Stewart; and many nieces/nephews and friends.

SERVICES

Funeral services will be held 1:30 P.M., Tuesday, September 23, 2014 at the Warner Chapel in Spencer.

OFFICIATING

Pastor Kay Hooper

CASKET BEARERS

Jerry Hadley Kendall Mead Virgil Prather Roger Warkentin Dennis Otten Carl Grover

VISITATION

Visitation will be held one hour prior to the services with the family present.

MUSIC

'Morning Has Broken' 'Silver Thread Among The Gold' 'On Eagle's Wings' By Gary Klett ORGANIST: Evan Hilsabeck

INTERMENT

Garfield Cemetery Rural Webb, Iowa Military services will be conducted by Glen Pedersen Post #1 - American Legion & VFW Clay County Post #3159 of Spencer following the graveside services. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Adam Anderson Memorial Scholarship Fund in care of Spencer Hospital. Adam J. Anderson Scholarship Program The Adam J. Anderson Scholarship was created by Duane Anderson of Webb and Marcia Anderson Taylor of Spencer, in memory of their son Adam who died in January 2001 of cancer. Adam had worked as a volunteer on the Terril ambulance crew after graduating from Iowa Lakes Community College and later took a job as an EMT for Spencer Hospital. According to his mother, Adam's goal was to obtain his paramedic certification and he was accepted into paramedic school in August 2000; however, his illness had progressed so much he was unable to attend. The scholarship is intended to honor Adam's memory and his spirit, and to enable others to fulfill the dream to be of service to others as paramedics. To obtain further information about applying, contact Spencer Hospital's Human Resource Development Director at 712-264-6623 or by e-mailing grp.hrd@spencerhospital.org.

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