Lila R. Johnson

Lila R. Johnson, 98, of Mason City, passed away Wednesday, August 21, 2024, at the Good Shepherd Health Center surrounded by her family. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, August 27, 2024, at 1 p.m. at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 North Pennsylvania, with Pastor Nadine Illunga officiating. Interment will be held at Immanuel Lutheran Reformed Cemetery in Belmond. A visitation will be held one hour prior to service time on Tuesday. 

Memorials may be directed to Wesley United Methodist Church or St. Croix Hospice.

Lila Ruth Marjorie Wessels was born on September 27, 1925, in Belmond, Iowa, the youngest child of Luke and Ella (Riekens) Wessels. She grew up and attended country school in the Belmond area.

Lila married Duaine G. Johnson on March 9, 1944, in Hampton, Iowa. The marriage was blessed with two daughters. After living in the Kanawha and Sheffield areas, the Johnson family moved to Mason City in 1953.

Lila was employed as a Food Manager in the Mason City School Lunch Program for 25 years, retiring in 1981. She was a long-time devoted member of Wesley United Methodist Church, holding many offices in both the church and United Methodist Women, giving freely of her time and talents to her church.

She was a member of the Women of the Moose, College of Regents, Mercy Medical Center Auxiliary, Wa Tan Ye Service Club, Community Kitchen, Meals on Wheels, Mason City Music Man Square, volunteering many hours for the various organizations.

Lila is survived by her daughters, Sharyl Ann Portz and husband Gary, of Cascade, Iowa, and Karla Brunett and husband Robert, of Rochester, Minnesota; grandchildren, Julie (Todd) Miller, Joni Gorman, Chad (Nikki) King, Dan (Crystal) King, and Amanda (Shawn) Donovan; step-grandchildren, Brian Portz and Amy Portz; great-grandchildren, Jonathon, Morgan, JD Michael, Lilee, Isaac, Axell, Joseph, Chelsea, Hailie, Luke, Daniel, and Arlie; step-great-grandchildren, Addie, Josie, Ella, Audrey and Morgan; eight great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Duaine; her parents; grandson, Rob Brunett; brothers, Marvin and Merle Wessels; sister, Lorraine Jordan; and many in-laws.