Verna Mary Johnson

Verna Mary Hansen Johnson passed away peacefully at her home on December 12, 2016.

Verna was the third of five siblings, and was born in her parent’s home on April 18, 1924 in Upper Presto, Idaho. Her parents were George David Hansen and Isabelle Henrietta Teeples. She attended school in Presto and graduated from Firth High School in 1941. On November 18, 1941, she married Raeo Deloss Johnson; their daughter Sharon was born in October of 1942. Raeo was drafted into the U.S. Army in December of 1942. He was killed in action during the Battle of the Bulge in April of 1944.

Verna attended beauty school in Idaho Falls, and upon graduation worked as an instructor for a year and a half. She opened Verna’s Beauty Salon in Shelley, and owned and operated the salon for nearly 40 years.

In 1946 she met Willard “Bill” Max Johnson. They were married on May 3, 1946 and had five children: Craig, Angela, Mary, George and Brian.

She was very active in the LDS church and held positions as the Primary President and as a visiting teacher. Verna and Bill were dance directors for many years, and especially enjoyed sharing this passion with their children.

Verna served as a Cub and Boy Scout leader for many years, helping many young men (including her sons and grandsons) earn their Eagle Scout awards. For her hard work and dedication, she received the Silver Beaver Award. This award is the highest recognition bestowed on volunteer leaders by the Boy Scout Council.

She was active in the Idaho Farm Bureau Federation, and served as the Women’s President for 30 years. She won first place with her safety project naming county roads, and went on to Chicago where her project was awarded second place in the national competition.

Verna and Bill were regular fixtures at the Eastern Idaho State Fair for 40 years, and could always be found with their family at the Bingham County Farm Bureau agriculture booth. They received many awards for their produce and grain sheaves, and treasured the time this allowed them to spend with family and friends. She also enjoyed gardening, crocheting, quilting and especially loved attending the sporting events of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Verna was preceded in death by her parents, both of her husbands, Raeo and Bill, her sister, Ruby Isabelle Hanft (Oscar), her brothers, Lorin George Hansen (Virginia), Gerald Archie Hansen (Ramona), and Carl David Hansen.

She is survived by her six children: Verna Sharon Jensen (Tom) of Goshen, Idaho; Willard Craig Johnson of Rigby, Idaho; Angela Marie Boyd (Kelley) of Idaho Falls, Idaho; Mary Isabelle Wilson (Michael) of Goshen, Idaho; George Hyrum Johnson (Jacqueline) of Fairfield, Washington; and Brian Lee Johnson (Holly) of Goshen, Idaho; 26 grandchildren, 86 great-grandchildren and 12 great-great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Monday, December 19, 2016 at the Presto Ward Chapel (792 N 1090 E) Shelley, Idaho. The family will receive friends Sunday evening from 5:00 till 7:00 p.m. at Nalder Funeral Home (110 West Oak) in Shelley and Monday morning from 9:30 till 10:40 a.m. at the church. Burial will be in the Goshen Cemetery.

Verna’s family would like to express their deepest appreciation and gratitude to the doctor, nurses, therapists and staff of Teton Hospice in Idaho Falls for their constant love and support.