Patsy Johnston, 86, of Greenfield
Mass of Christian Burial: Will be held on Saturday, April 5, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at the St. John’s Catholic Church in Greenfield with burial in the Greenfield Cemetery. A luncheon will be held at the church following the burial. Father Philip Bempong will officiate the service. The Lamb Funeral Home in Greenfield is in charge of the professional arrangements. Online condolences may be left to the family at www.lambfuneralhomes.com.
Open Visitation: Will be held at the Lamb Funeral Home in Greenfield on Friday, April 4, 2025, from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Family Visitation: The family will greet friends at the Lamb Funeral Home in Greenfield on Friday, April 4, 2025, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Memorials: Memorials may be made to the Patsy Johnston Memorial Fund to be established by the family at a later date.
Patsy C. (Mulhern) Johnston was born on September 27, 1938, to Irene H. (Eatinger) and Thomas W. Mulhern in the family home one mile north of Greenfield. Her brother Ronald R. completed the family a few years later.
The family moved to SW Second Street when Patsy was a teenager. One rainy evening Patsy was walking home from the high school, carrying her saxophone. A young Korean War Veteran, Robert “Red” Lorenze, gave her a ride home from the ‘Y’ intersection. Robert would quickly become the one true love of her life. Patsy graduated from Greenfield High School in 1956.
Robert and Patsy were married at St. John’s Catholic Church on April 3, 1957. They welcomed Bobbi Ann in 1958, Patrick Alan in 1959, and Lori Kae in 1960. They were full partners in the farming operation. The town girl learned to drive tractors, tend milk cows and chicken eggs to sell in town. When it was time for harvest, the kids were in the wagon as Patsy drove. She specialized in homemade ice cream using their own eggs, milk, and cream from the farm’s dairy herd.
They were proud to build their new home on the family land in 1966 where Patsy lived until she was no longer able. She lived on the same street all her life until the move to Greenfield Manor.
In 1971, Bob’s sudden devastating death at age 39, a month after receiving the diagnosis of his cancer, left Patsy widowed at age 33. She continued to manage the family farm and livestock operation with her children.
Robert and Patsy loved bowling. She bowled in a weekly league in Greenfield for over 45 years. Traveling to state bowling, as well as many trips across the country for national bowling tournaments this being her vacation from the farm.
Patsy married Bobby L. Johnston (BJ) on April 20, 1974, blessing the family with 3 sisters: Melody, Jeanine, and Peggy. Patsy was widowed again with BJ’s passing in 2006. Patsy cherished and mentored her only niece and nephew Jeanie and Tom Mulhern, who visited the family farm throughout their lives.
BJ and Patsy loved and pampered many rat terrier dogs as constant companions. She also was proud of her Irish heritage, sometimes being accused of being a ‘Stubborn Irishman’. This no doubt helped her navigate many difficulties in life.
She was an avid collector of Fiesta dishes, traveling to several auctions to complete her collection. She was also known for making the best chocolate chip cookies, with each grandchild and great grandchild receiving the best gift of a bag of chocolate chip cookies for their birthday!
When she wasn’t working on the farm, she worked at Newton’s Shoes and J&B Hardware in Greenfield. She was active in St. John’s Catholic Church Altar and Rosary Society, Red Hat Society group, Greenfield Busines Women, volunteering as a voting poll worker for many years, and serving as a Lee Township Trustee.
She was preceded in death by her husbands, parents, and in-laws. She is survived by her children Bobbi (Jim) Williams of Greenfield, Pat (Amy) Lorenze of Lincoln NE, and Lori (Lynn) Schwartz of Center Point IA. Surviving grandchildren include Nicole (Daniel) Moser of Greenfield, Matthew Lorenze of Missouri, Stacia Lorenze (Dr. Annisa Pirasteh) of Decatur GA, Hayden and Madalyne (fiancé Jamil Danaf) Lorenze of Lincoln NE, Katie (Jake) Braun, and Megan (Tyler) Herrmann all of Center Point IA. Great grandchildren include Kaylee, Jason and Ilyssa Moser, Bo, Blake, and Briggs Braun, and Owen and Reese Herrmann. Surviving step daughters are Melody Moore, Jeanine Allard, and Peggy Long. She is also survived by her brother Ron Mulhern, niece Jeanie Mulhern (Matt Lindsay) , children Tyson and Kate, all of California, and nephew Tom Mulhern (Pru Bikkannavar) of Texas.
