BOONE, Iowa—Our sweet mom, Lois Kathryn Grove Johnson, passed away on Wednesday, February 1, 2023, at the Eastern Star Masonic Home, after dealing with dignity, the effects of dementia for several years. Mom was a very strong believer in Christ, and we are so thankful and in awe that she is now with Jesus, free of scoliosis that plagued her for many years as well as dementia. The joy of the Lord was always her strength!
Mom was born on July 5, 1933, in Green City, Missouri. Following high school graduation from Grand Junction High School, she began her career as a secretary. Lois married Wilbur Grove on June 17, 1950. They were blessed with three children, Kathy, and twin sons, Jon and Joe. Mom worked at several different secretarial jobs over her lifetime, ending as a secretary for ISU.
Mom found great joy in retirement being a foster grandmother. She loved her family and considered each one a precious gift from God. The birth of each grandchild and great-grandchild brought her even greater joy! Mom had several hobbies which blessed others, such as sewing many of her own and her children’s clothing, writing poetry, sketching, and being the family hairdresser! She enjoyed nature, especially walks in the Ledges and fishing! She loved animals, especially her two dogs, Blendy and Risha.
Lois was preceded in death by her husband, Wilbur Grove; parents, Edith and Gorlan Rutledge and brothers-in-law, Jim Williams and Patrick Hamill.
She is survived by her children: Jon (Janice) Grove of Ames, IA, Joe Grove of Boone, IA, and Kathy (Dave) Springer of Boone, IA; sisters, Joanne Hamill of Altoona, IA, and Lola Williams of Iowa Falls, IA; grandchildren: Jana Egan of Boone, IA, Elizabeth (Benjamin) Wilson of Tucson, AZ, Allison (Richard) Romain-Dika of Seattle, WA, and Sarah (Matthew) Johnson of Bondurant, IA; great-grandchildren: Charles Elliott Wilson of Tucson, AZ, Deklan Egan of Boone, IA, Leila and Estelle Romain-Dika of Seattle, WA, and Luke, Emma and Cole Johnson of Bondurant, IA, and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews.
Memorial services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 25, 2023, at the Eastern Star Masonic Home Chapel in Boone, with Pastor Tim Trudeau officiating. Visitation will be prior to the service from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Boone Area Humane Society or the Alzheimer’s Association.
The Schroeder-Stark-Welin Funeral Home, 609 7th Street, Boone, Iowa is assisting the family with these arrangements.
