Edna Dorothea Johnson

Edna Dorothea Johnson, daughter of Louis and Grace (Uphoff) Schultz, was born on September 29, 1922 in Deshler, Nebraska.  She passed away on October 21, 2023 at Parkview Haven in Deshler at the age of 101 years and 3 weeks.  Edna was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith at Peace Lutheran Church in Deshler and attended parochial school there.  She graduated from Deshler High School in 1941 and was then employed in the office of the Deshler Broom Factory for six years.

Edna was married to Eldon Johnson on April 6, 1946 in Deshler.  Four children were born to this union - daughter Marcia and sons Phil and Murray.  A third son died at birth in 1962.

Eldon and Edna moved to a farm southwest of Davenport in 1946 and continued to farm until Eldon’s death in January, 1989.  She loved farm life and was a valuable partner in the farming operation. She also enjoyed her garden and yard, especially her flowers.  Throughout her life on the farm and later living in Davenport Edna especially enjoyed time with her lady friends having coffee or going on walks or going shopping.  She was a loving and devoted mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and did everything she could to support her family and stay connected to them.  She was also a gracious hostess, a great cook, loved to travel, and was a huge Husker fan.

Edna was an asset to her community and her church.  She was a member of Christ Lutheran Church of Davenport until the time of her death.  She gave much of her time to the work of the church, serving as the church’s financial secretary and as a teacher and superintendent of Sunday School.  She belonged to Davenport’s Women’s Club, volunteered at the Davenport Senior Center, and served as an assistant 4-H leader.   For over twenty years (until age 96), Edna was involved with the Thayer County Health Services Hospital Guild with one of her biggest passions being the Things and Stuff thrift shop in Hebron where she spent countless hours volunteering and assisted in managing the shop. In November, 2019 Edna received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Thayer County Health Services Foundation.

Preceding Edna in death were her parents, her husband Eldon, an infant son, sister Florence Schmidt of Deshler, and brother Frank Schultz of Sheridan, Wyoming.  Survivors include daughter Marcia Fouraker of Fremont, Nebraska, sons Phil (Deb) Johnson and Murray (Christy) Johnson all of rural Davenport, seven grandchildren: Tracy (Derek) Anderson, Rodney Krafka, Dan Johnson, Greg (Chanel) Krafka, Meghan (Shiloh) Littrel, Darren (Chelsea) Krafka, and Lauren Johnson, and nine great-grandchildren: Dylan, Gavin and Adrienne Anderson, John and Christina Krafka, Logan, Mira and Milo Krafka, Maverick Littrel, one sister Helen Fegter of Fairbury, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be directed to Christ Lutheran Church in Davenport or Thayer County Health Services Hospital Guild.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, October 27th at 10:00 AM at Christ Lutheran Church in Davenport.  Interment will be at the Davenport Cemetery.  Visitation will be Thursday, October 26th from 4:30 – 7:00 PM at the Urbauer Funeral Home Chapel, 107 South Maple Avenue, Davenport, NE.   Urbauer-Price Funeral Home of Davenport is assisting with arrangements.  www.priceurbauerahrendts.com.