Verda was born on a farm, near Redline, in Shelby County, Iowa in 1925 and her parents moved the family to Omaha in 1930. Verda met Folmer Johnson on her Uncle’s farm and they were married in 1947. They welcomed 3 children to their family, Kent, Kevin, and Cindy. Folmer and Verda farmed in Southwest Iowa until Folmer’s retirement in 1977.
Verda was an accomplished housewife, being an excellent cook, seamstress, and gardener. She created many amazing china painted pieces and enjoyed painting landscapes with Bob Ross. Anyone who drove by the farm was treated to a view of her gorgeous flower garden. She especially loved her roses.
Verda returned to college as an adult and finished her Bachelor of Science degree in 1972. She enjoyed teaching her first grade students in Exira for 21 years until her retirement, in 1993, at the age of 68.
Verda and Folmer were wonderful grandparents to 11 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. Verda continued to live on the family farm after Folmer’s passing, at the age of 92 years, in 2008. In 2018, at the age of 92, she moved to the Salem Lutheran Home in Elkhorn, IA. She was loved by many and will be greatly missed.
Memorial Services will be Saturday, April 16th at 10:30 AM at the Pauley Jones Funeral Home in Harlan. Burial will be at the Elk Horn Cemetery. The Pauley Jones Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
