GENEVIEVE E. JOHNSON, 94 years, of Tekamah, Nebraska, passed away Friday, November 6, 2009, at her home in Tekamah.

She was born at Sidney, Iowa, Oct. 24, 1915, to Walter and Mae (Moomaw) Malcom. She attended country schools through sixth grade, then public school in Sidney. She graduated from high school at age 16 in May 1932.

Gen married John LeRoy “Pat” Johnson of Sidney at Rockport, Mo., on Dec. 21, 1932. They farmed and raised horses, mules and Shorthorn cattle. She tended huge gardens and canned fruits, vegetables and meat to feed themselves and many threshing crews.

Ten-year-old Ronald Gaylan McMurtrey came to live with them as their son in 1950.

The Johnsons were charter members of the Waubonsie Saddle Club at Sidney in 1952.

Patricia Ann was born in 1953 at Hamburg, Iowa, and soon after the family moved to Tekamah and bought a farm. Janet Kay, 1954, and Michael Lynn, 1956, were born in Oakland. The Johnsons were charter members of the Tri-County Saddle Club in 1959. They sold the farm in 1960 and moved to Schuyler and were part owners of a sale barn. Gen worked for Dale Electronics in Columbus. They returned to Tekamah in 1965 and she worked for Campbell Soup in Fremont until her retirement in
1977, when they moved off a farm into town.

She had a lifelong love for animals, especially horses, and always had huge vegetable and flower gardens. She lived in her own home and took care of her flower gardens. She also mowed her yard as recently as this summer, much to the consternation of her family.

Preceding her in death were her daughter, Janet, 1977, and husband of 67 years, Pat, 1999.

Survivors include a daughter, Patty (John) Wilson, Tekamah, sons Mike (Jane) Johnson, Tekamah, and Ron (Gabriel) McMurtrey, Clarksville, Tenn.; grandchildren, Doug (Sarah) and Daryl Hampton, both of Omaha, Joe (Simone) and Christine (John Buchholz) Johnson, both of Tekamah, Melenie (Rudy) Espinoza of Tennessee, Marvin McMurtrey (Kelly) of Virginia and Mark (Dawn) McMurtrey of California; step grandchildren, Mandy Aronson, Omaha, Jake (Amanda) Aronson, Tekamah; great-grandchildren, Brittney and Anjolena Hampton, Trystan, Trevor and Danica Johnson, Cayden Buchholz, all of Tekamah, Nicholas (Brigette), Antonio and Anja Espinoza, all of Tennessee, Matthew, Josh, Adam and Nicholas McMurtrey, all of Virginia; step great-grandson, Clayton Aronson, Tekamah; great-great grandchildren, Alexus and Ashlyn Espinoza, Tennessee; cousins, Mary Moomaw Young of Virginia, Judy Moomaw of Oregon, Elton Moore and Marcia Moore Willingham, both of Hollister, Mo.; lifelong friend, Maxine Myers, Tabor, Iowa; and her little dog, Johnny Pedro.

GRAVESIDE SERVICE: A private family graveside service was held at sunset on Monday, November 9, 2009.

NO VISITATION

BURIAL: Tekamah Cemetery

MEMORIALS: Donor's Choice

Please feel free to send your condolences to the family.
Each condolence will be printed and given to the family after the service.

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