Betty C. Johnson

Betty Cathryn Johnson, 88, of Las Vegas, Nev., formerly of Clear Lake, passed away on Monday, June 24, 2013. Per her wishes, a graveside service will be held at noon on Monday, July 8, in the Nevada Municipal Cemetery, Nevada, Iowa, with Pastor Tom Poppe officiating.

Betty was born on April 5, 1925 in Ames, Iowa, to Linville and Mable (Told) White.  Growing up in Nevada, she sang and danced at various events in the area.  Betty was a member of the Central Presbyterian Church and belonged to the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls.  She graduated from Nevada High School in 1943 and attended Iowa State University where she was a Home Economics major.  Betty also taught dance and was a member of the Chicago National Association of Dancing Masters.  She also helped out at the family business, White Jewelry Store. 

On April 27, 1947 Betty married Wendell Johnson in Nevada. In 1950 they moved to Clear Lake where they owned and operated Patterson Jewelry.  While in Clear Lake, they were members of the First Congregational Church.  In 1984, she moved to Las Vegas to be near her children. In the late 80’s, Betty worked part-time at a store called West of Dallas.  She loved doing crafts, reading, going to Antique and thrift shops. An avid quilter, Betty belonged to the Desert Quilters of Nevada, quilt circles Scarlet Bonnets (where she was called “Queen Mum”), Bluebirds and every other Monday Night Quilters.  Along with her daughters, she was a member of the Stephens College Alumnae Club of Southern Nevada.  Other organizations and clubs she belonged to were the Order of Eastern Star, Beta Sigma Phi Society, T.T.T. and Progress Club.

Betty is survived by her children, Martha Gennarelli, Wendell Johnson, Mary (Ken) Coxson-Jones; three grandchildren, Carissa Coxson, Chandler Coxson, and Camden Coxson; a great-grandson Grayson Coxson, all of Las Vegas; sister, Sandra (Bob) Leeper of Nevada; brother, Jim (MaryAnn) White of Tucson, Ariz.; sister-in-law, Lavon Tjelmeland of McCallsburg; and many nieces and nephews, along with their families.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Wendell; in-laws Kenneth and Beulah Johnson; and son-in-law, Tony Gennarelli.

Chet Ryan Mortuary in Nevada was in charge of the service.