Verona Johnson

Verona L. Johnson escaped a ten year unwinnable battle and war with Alzheimer's dementia with her passing on January 28, 2024. She refused to allow this tragic disease to define her or her life during that journey.

Verona was born on February 13, 1943 to parents Kenneth and Marjorie Evans in Ames, Iowa and grew up in rural Ellsworth. She thrived academically, musically and athletically in her educational and social formation in that community. She was a valedictorian of her graduating high school class of 1961 and was a forward on the girls basketball team that went to the state tournament in 1961 during the years of 6 on 6 girls basketball. She was an enthusiastic piano player and participant in vocal music.

She attended AIB (American Institute of Business) in Des Moines after high school and earned an Associate Degree in Business. She leveraged that degree with Engineering Extension at Iowa State University for five years as an administrative assistant to the Department Head.

Verona and her high school sweet heart, Marv Johnson were married June 8, 1963. Verona and Marv always worked as a team and both held multiple jobs during the 7 years that Marv pursued his dream of studying to become a veterinarian. They achieved that dream with his graduation with his DVM in May of 1968.

Verona and Marv then moved to South Bend, Indiana where he practiced veterinary medicine for 10 years and they completed their family with three children. Verona anchored the home front and was the leader in parenting and mentoring Stephanie, Christian and Kelly into what they have become in life. Verona has many friends from those formative days in South Bend from her relationships in the neighborhood, their church and the veterinary profession.

Verona and her family moved back to Iowa in 1977 where spouse Marv practiced veterinary medicine for 48 years in his multiple practices. Verona, always a part of the Johnson family team supported the practices as financial manager.

Verona Lee Evans Johnson pursued and lived life with humility, honesty, ethics, integrity and passion for "Doing the Right Thing".
Her family was “numero uno” and her children and grandchildren and their welfare were her obsession.

Her dogs, Charlie and Digger provided her great comfort in her journey.

She enjoyed Marv's profession of veterinary medicine and enjoyed his commitment to Iowa State University, the College of Veterinary Medicine and the ISU Foundation where she was a Foundation Governor. She loved the family's trips to occupy season tickets for men's and women's basketball and football for over 45 years. GO CYCLONES!

During the 47 years that Verona and her family lived in Iowa in the cities of Urbandale and West Des Moines she acquired many friends who made her life whole and enjoyable as she participated in Faith Lutheran Church activities including the Stitcher's Group, the neighborhood groups and activities associated with the profession of veterinary medicine locally and nationally including the many trips to Hawaii to attend meetings on Oahu, Maui and Kauai. For all those people and for all the committed and loving friends who supported Verona in her long and sad medical journey..................her family says: "Thank You" for being there for her............and for us.

Verona is survived by spouse, Marv of 60 years and children, Stephanie (Mike) Reymann of Prior Lake, MN, Christian (Patti) Johnson, Waukee, and Kelly (Chris) Vlahakis, Urbandale.
Beloved grandchildren are:
Alex Reymann, Andrew Johnson Evan Eastin
Kira Reymann, Elena Johnson Lukas Eastin
Anna Eastin.

She is also survived by brother, Merlyn (Shirley) Evans and sisters-in-law, Donna Baldner, Marlene Vulgamott, Lori Miller and Karla Hockett; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ken and Marjorie Evans; brother-in-law, Doug Baldner; and mother-in-law Marjorie Eide and father-in-law E.L. Johnson.

Visitation will take place from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 1, 2024 at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway, West Des Moines, Iowa. Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m. Friday, February 2, 2024 at Faith Lutheran Church, 10395 University Avenue, Clive, Iowa with burial at Homewood Cemetery, Ellsworth, Iowa.

*Verona's family would like to thank the staff of SunCrest Hospice and The Iowa Jewish Senior Life Center for their attentiveness, compassion and competence in supporting and caring for Verona in the very difficult time for Verona and her grateful family.

Memorials may be directed to Faith Lutheran Church Memorial Fund or the Alzheimer's Association. Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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