Mildred “Millie” Johnson

Our family lost a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and special friend when Mildred Maxine "Millie" Johnson, 97, died Monday, November 23, 2020. Millie had a great sense of humor, laughed a lot, liked people and loved life. She was extremely generous, always helping others but reluctant to receive assistance or gifts. She was tough, resilient, creative, and loved by everyone who knew her. Even after losing her eyesight late in life, she continued to be an inspiration to others.

Millie was born in Adrian, Missouri to Ralph and Esther Beeman. She graduated from Walker High School where she played basketball, acted in plays, and sang. She moved to Kansas City, Missouri, where she met and married Ben R. Johnson. They were married for 62 years and had three daughters: Carolyn, Patricia, and Kathryn. Millie resided in Raytown, Missouri most of her life until moving to Iowa.

Millie worked at Lake City Ammunition Plant during the war inspecting bullets, in the mail order department of Montgomery Wards, sold Avon door-to-door, provided in home child care, was a floral designer at Blue Ridge Flowers, and worked in the school cafeteria for Raytown Community Schools for 15 years before retiring. She was a member of Golden Age Club and Artia.

Millie's faith was important to her. She attended First Baptist Church of Raytown until she was no longer able to drive. She was a faithful home listener of Dr. Salem on The Christian Worship Hour.

Survivors include daughters Carolyn (Noel) Fulkerson of Independence, MO; Kathryn (Tom) Zaun of Clive, IA; grandchildren, Lyssa (Joe) Hart, Rusty (Nicole) Zaun, Derek (Nadine) Zaun, Todd (Kathy) Zaun, Shelley (Darren) Garrison; great-grandchildren, Parker & Chase Hart, Berlin Zaun, Aaron Besgrove, Dillon, Cameron, & Grace Zaun,  Max, Tanner, Spencer, & Briggs Zaun, Claire Garrison; many nieces and nephews and special friends Carolyn Rose Dauma, Bill Hammond, and Steve Schafer. Millie was preceded in death by her parents, five siblings, infant daughter, and husband.

The family wishes to express their sincerest gratitude to Unity Point Hospice blue team, Des Moines, Iowa, for their loving care and devotion provided to Millie.

Per CDC guidelines, there will be a gravesite service for limited family only, and, in the future, when possible, a memorial gathering will be held for all family and friends to celebrate Millie's life and share memories.

If you wish to send a memorial gift, direct it to The Christian Worship Hour, P.O. Box 2002, Aberdeen, SD 57402; or online at  https://www.christianworshiphour.com/donate/

Per CDC guidelines, there will be a gravesite service for limited family only, and, in the future, when possible, a memorial gathering will be held for all family and friends to celebrate Millie’s life and share memories.

If you wish to send a memorial gift, direct it to The Christian Worship Hour, P.O. Box 2002, Aberdeen, SD 57402.