Amy E. Johnson

Funeral Services for Amy E. Johnson will be conducted from Presbyterian Church in Orleans, Nebraska on Saturday, June 2, 2007, at 10:00 a.m. with Reverend Heather Shoup officiating. Interment will be in the Stamford Cemetery at Stamford, Nebraska.

Amy Elizabeth Johnson, 86 years of age, of Orleans, Nebraska, passed away on Tuesday, May 29, 2007, at Hastings. Amy was born June 25, 1920, at Hastings, the third of seven of children of Delbert R. and Ella (Garlick) Harkins. She received her primary education at Hastings Public Schools and graduated from Hastings High School with the class of 1938. She then pursued higher education to receive her teaching certificate from Hastings College. Following her education, Amy taught school at Sutton, Litchfield and Stamford. During her summers, Amy would contribute to the war effort working in the ammunition factories during WW II.

On August 25, 1946, she was united in marriage to Merle Leslie Johnson and to this union four daughters were born: Cynthia, Leslie, Jennefer and Stephanie. Merle and Amy made their home in Ft. Collins, Colorado, where Amy taught school while Merle completed his education. In 1950, they returned to Nebraska and in 1959 Merle and Amy founded the J & H Grain Company of Orleans, which they owned until 1995. In 1972, Amy completed her Bachelors Degree in Education from Kearney State College in Kearney, Nebraska. Amy continued her teaching career, teaching Art in Orleans and Beaver City, Nebraska, until her retirement. On March 4, 2007, she was preceded in death by her husband, Merle. The couple continued to make their home in Orleans until their passing.

Amy was a member of the Presbyterian Church in Orleans, where she was active in many capacities including the United Presbyterian Women. She was also a member of the Orleans Civic Club, American Legion Auxiliary, Girl Scout Leader and helped with 4-H. Amy enjoyed painting, sewing, gardening, reading, playing bridge, golfing and traveling. The greatest joy of her life was spending time with her grandchildren.

She leaves to mourn her passing her four daughters: Cindy Bose of Evergreen, Colorado; Leslie Hoffman and her husband, John of Juniata, Nebraska; Jennefer Cooper and her husband, Rick of New Braunfels, Texas; and Stephanie Beyers and her husband, Bill of Loveland, Colorado and her eight grandchildren and their spouses. She also leaves one brother, James Harkins of St. Agatha, Ontario; sisters-in-law, Delores Harkins of Torrington, Wyoming, and Laverne Johnson of Alma; brothers-in-law: Carl Kindsfater of Colorado Springs, CO, Claire Johnson of Denver, CO and Lee Johnson and his wife, Phyllis of Britton, South Dakota as well as a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; son-in-law, Gary L. Bose; three sisters: Grace Kindsfater, Bernice Witham and Patricia Sperry and two brothers: Raymond Harkins and Harwin Harkins.

Amy will lie in state at the Mitchell Funeral Home in Orleans, Nebraska on Friday, June 1, 2007 with the family greeting friends from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Memorials are suggested to the Alzheimer's Foundation of America in Amy's memory.
Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Mitchell Funeral Home in Orleans is in charge of the arrangements.