Twyla A. Johnson

Twyla Aileen Johnson, age 97, of Dallas Center, Iowa passed peacefully Saturday, September 16, 2023 at Spurgeon Manor surrounded by family.

Twyla was born November 15, 1925 near New Virigina, Iowa to Charles and Bessie Foley. Twyla was an only child growing up on a farm in New Virigina. She attended rural school through eighth grade then moved to Indianola to attend high school. She graduated and immediately began teaching Kindergarten through third grade at a one room schoolhouse at Sandyville. She taught four years before getting married to Walter Johnson.

Walter and Twyla were blessed with three beautiful children, Russell (Denny), Diane and Denise. Once having children, Twyla worked for the school district while Walter worked for a feed company. After having Denise, Twyla made a career change and worked at Meredith Corporation before retiring in 1988.

Twyla enjoyed baking, canning, sewing, crocheting, playing cards, doing puzzles and of course, spending time with her family. Together, Twyla and Walter enjoyed square dancing, going out to dance every Saturday at the Eagles Lodge Club. The family also traveled. They started tent camping then moved on to a camper out of a bread truck, and then a trailer. After retirement, they spent summers at their lake home and winters in Arizona and became snowbirds. They spent seven winters together there before Walter passed away in 2003 and Twyla continued to go to Arizona spending summers with family in Iowa.

While at Spurgeon Manor, Twyla enjoyed her Sunday afternoon pie, bingo on Fridays, watching the music programs and all her pen pals over the years. One thing Twyla loved most was her family. She never missed a holiday or family gathering with them. She supported all her grandchildren and great grandchildren, attending every sporting event and choir concert she could.

Twyla was proceeded in death by her twin siblings, Max and Maxine; her parents, Bessie and Charles Foley; her husband, Walter Johnson; and her daughter, Diane Herselius.

She is survived by her son, Russell (Char) Johnson; daughter, Denise (Tim) Gerdis; seven grandchildren, Teresa (Joe) Shogren, Tina (Ryan) Fincel, Todd Johnson, Christopher Weber, Jeremy Herselius, Elizabeth (Kurt) Wendl and Emma Gerdis; and seven great -grandchildren, Jaxson, Tatum, Luke, Heather, Harley, Logan and Tyler.

Visitation will be held from 10:00 to 12:00 p.m. noon Friday, September 22, 2023 at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines with funeral service at 12:00 p.m. Burial will follow at Norwalk Cemetery in Norwalk, IA.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Spurgeon Manor where a memorial will be created in honor of Twyla.

The family would like to sincerely thank the staff at the Spurgeon Manor and Suncrest Hospice for their professional and compassionate care for Twyla.

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