Virginia E Johnson

Virginia Ellen (Carlson) Johnson, age 94, of Holdrege, Nebraska, passed from this life to life eternal on Sunday, April 3, 2011 at Christian Homes Care Community at Holdrege. A memorial service to celebrate Virginia's life will be held at Christian Homes Care Community Chapel in Holdrege on Saturday, April 16, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. with Pastor Bonnie Brock, officiating. There will be no visitation and there will be a private inurnment in the Prairie Home Cemetery at Holdrege prior to the memorial service.

Virginia Ellen (Carlson) Johnson was the eldest of five children born to Carl and Mabel (Johnson) Carlson on January 25, 1917 1920 in Shortsrville, New York. The family then moved back to Holdrege shortly thereafter. He attended grade school at Districts #53 and #19 in Phelps County and graduated from Holdrege High School in 1934.

Virginia moved to Denver, Colorado in 1940, where she worked for a high school, as a ward clerk for a Swedish Hospital and as a bookkeeper at a car stereo business. In 1941, she was united in marriage to Chester R. "Chet" Johnson. Chet's daughter, Betty and her husband, Mark and their daughter, Sherry, and Sherry's children Mark and Michele were happy additions to Virginia's life. Chet and Virginia enjoyed fishing in the Rocky Mountains and entertained many friends and relatives by taking them to the mountains.

Virginia's Christianity was always important to her. She was confirmed at the Bethel Lutheran Church in Holdrege, was a member of Dutch Reformed Church of America in Denver and renewed her membership with Bethel Lutheran Church when she returned to live in Holdrege in 1985.

Virginia was preceded in death by her husband, Chet in 1967; her parents; her step-daughter, Betty Terry and her husband, Mark; brothers: Clinton Carlson, Donald Carlson and Samuel Carlson; sisters-in-law: Zola Carlson and Evelyn Carlson; nephew, Ron Carlson and nieces: Beverly Carlson and Carol Holcomb.

She is survived by her granddaughter, Sherry Maschek of Omaha, Nebraska; great-grandchildren: Mark Marvin and Michele DeLange and their respective families of Bellevue and Omaha; brother, Ralph Carlson and his wife, Margaret of Lincoln, Nebraska; sisters-in-law: Lorraine Carlson, Delores "Babe" Carlson and Donna Carlson all of Holdrege; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

A memorial has been established in Virginia's memory and kindly suggested to the Christian Homes Care Community or the Bethel Lutheran Church in Holdrege.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.