Lois Ann Johnson

Lois Ann Johnson

Brooklyn

Lois Ann Johnson was born July 7, 1926 at Ledyard, Iowa to Albert and Hilda (Klooster) Johnson. She grew up on the farm and attended country school through 8th grade. At the age of 12 years, she accepted the gospel of Jesus and was true to that choice until she entered her eternal rest on December 1, 2023.

In 1944 she met a soldier, Jack Patten, at their church convention. He was home on leave from serving during WWII. They wrote letters to each other, and when he was discharged in May of 1945, to farm the family farm, they were united in marriage on September 29, 1945. They had 59 years together on the family farm at Brooklyn.

Lois was a farm wife, and mother to their 4 children. She was busy being a housewife, dressing chickens, helping with hay making, garden and canning in the summer. In winter, she sewed and patched, and baked to have snacks ready after the children came home from school. When her children were grown, she worked part time at the Brooklyn nursing home and then part time at the local dime store in Brooklyn.

She entered the St. Francis Manor Care facility in August of 2016 and was there her remaining days.

She loved her family very much, and would tell us to pray for others and she and Jack always welcomed others for a meal, who came unexpectedly for a visit.

Lois is survived by her daughter Ellen (Terry)Visser of Iowa Falls, son Gene of Brooklyn, daughter Faye (Darwin) Klenk of Malcom and daughter-in-law Shirley Patten of Grinnell. Grandchildren Kathleen (Brock) Olson, Karaleen (Carey) French, Scott and Dustin Patten, Brandon (Melissa) Klenk, Brant (Lisa) Klenk, and Breanna (Justin) McIlrath, and Chad Patten. And 12 great-grandchildren. Nieces and nephews and other family members. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Jack, a son Bruce, two sisters, Margaret Wirtjes and Irene Hillson, one brother Raymond, and one granddaughter, Shari Patten.

A funeral service will be held at 10:30 am, Friday, December 8, 2023 at Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, December 7, 2023 from 12:00 pm to 7:00 pm, with the family present from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Smith Funeral in Grinnell.

Memorials may be designated to the family, a memorial designation will be determined by the family at a later date, mailed in c/o of Smith Funeral Home, P.O. Box 368, Grinnell, IA 50112.